Joan Ilene Strotz

Joan Ilene (Barnhardt) Strotz, age 83, passed away peacefully on December 4, 2018.

She was born April 28, 1935 in Bellingham, to Merle and Ione Barnhardt. Joan was a 1953 graduate of Ferndale High School and on August 6, 1954 was married to Bert Strotz whom she met at the Friday night dances at Rome Grange. Together, they raised three children, Dee Ann (1958-2015), Jeff, Alison and a very special niece Mary Lou Moreau. With a heart the size of Joan’s, she had much love to share. Aside from raising her own children, she cared for and loved many others in the foster care system for many years.

Joan worked part-time as Secretary for the United Church of Ferndale for over 40 years.  She thoroughly enjoyed the job and the people there were dear to her heart. Joan also found time in her busy schedule of raising her children, volunteering and working to sell Avon. She enjoyed her many customers and was often a member of the President’s Club. 

There were several things Joan loved to do. Volunteering, quilting and watching the Mariners were a few. She was a 4-H Leader; an active and founding member of the Ferndale FFA Boosters; and spent many years in the 4-H/Open Class Beef Barn at the Northwest Washington Fair as the Beef Superintendent. Quilting was something she took up later in life when she had some spare time. She never did anything halfway, and the beauty of her handiwork made that apparent! If the Mariners were on TV, she was watching the game! She loved the Mariners and stayed loyal until the end.

Joan loved her grandkids with all of her being and looked forward to time spent with them. They all held a special place in her heart, and she spent many a day watching soccer or sitting on hard bleachers for basketball and baseball games. If she couldn’t attend the games, she always asked the outcome and then shared the information with those that would listen.

Joan is survived by her son Jeff Strotz, her daughter Alison Mason (Darrel), son-in-law John Moreau, special niece Marylou Moreau and daughter April Rollog. Her grandchildren Aaron Moreau, Nicky Williams, Jodi Moreau, Haley McNeil, Steven Moreau, Jamie, Jordan and Jacob Mason. Her Great Grandchildren, Malakhi, Domanic, Blaise, Junior, Zayden, Declan, Damian, Oliver, Mason, Rose and Brooklyn. Her siblings, Jack Pomeroy (Lois), Kay Pearson, Mike Pomeroy (Darlene), Gail Judge (Jim) and Edward Pomeroy, as well as numerous other relatives and close friends.  She was preceded in death by her parents, husband Bert; daughter DeeAnn; great grandson Ezekiel Williams; brothers Tom, Don and Dick Pomeroy; and sisters Muriel Jones and Betty Heyano,

A Funeral service will be held Tuesday, Dec. 18, 2018, 1:00 PM at The United Church of Ferndale, 2034 Washington Street, Ferndale.

Memorials may be made to the Ferndale FFA Boosters, PO Box 2132 Ferndale, WA 98248 or The United Church of Ferndale, PO Box 186, Ferndale, WA 98248.