JOAN EMILY HAVER
Joan Emily Haver passed away on January 23, 2023, in Anderson, California. Joan Emily Johnston, member of the Nor Rel Muk Wintu Nation, was born on August 6, 1932, as the youngest child of Claudie Willard Shock Franks Johnston Olsen and Richard Johnston in Hayfork, CA.
Joan’s siblings were Jeff Willard Franks, Ethel Marie Franks Hukee, Flora Johnston Foreman Hancock Miles, and Belle Johnston Foley Jones Mooneyham Laughlin.
Joan grew up in Hayfork in the home of her aunt and uncle, Wilma and Alfred Olsen, alongside her cousin Lorraine Olsen Ivon Berry and Joan’s sisters, Flora and Belle, all of whom preceded Joan in death. Joan attended elementary school in Hayfork, where her nickname alternated between Joni and Emeline, and attended high school in Redding, CA. While still in high school, Joan met Burton Westley Haver at a carnival in Hayfork, and they eloped to be married in Carson City, Nevada, on April 9, 1949. Joan and Burt were married to each other for 52 years until cancer took Burt from Joan’s life on October 29, 2001.
Joan and Burt are survived by their 13 children. Listed in chronological order with their spouses, their names are Michael, Dan, Patrick, James, Deborah with her husband Ronald Whitney, John, Rebecca with her husband James Noftz, Robert with his wife Terryll, Joseph, Thomas with his wife Kathleen, Julie with her husband Mark Breault, Mary Whisten, and William with his wife Lisa. Joan’s family continues to grow with 26 grandchildren and 39 great grandchildren.
Chico was Joan’s home for most of her adult life, but she also lived in Hayfork, Paradise, Orland, Crescent City, Cottonwood, and Anderson. Early in their marriage Joan and Burt began their family-owned and operated enterprise, Haver’s Survey Stakes. Their success in business continued in Chico for more than 42 years.
Joan loved to go deer hunting with her husband and sons, family camping trips to Grizzly Creek, family Easter egg hunts, dancing with her husband, music, going to the movies, playing bingo at the VFW Memorial Hall, picture puzzles, was an avid reader and word scramble whiz. Joan collected images of clowns, enjoyed drawing with pencils, paintby-number kits, and the rare ride on the back of a Harley. Her secret pleasures were chocolate covered strawberries and Almond Roca candy. Joan would make delicious meals for her family of fifteen as easily as dinner for two. Her fried chicken and her pork roast dinners were family favorites, but her Sunday morning milk toast breakfasts were not to be missed. Joan was a long-time member of the Chico Fraternal Order of Eagles Auxiliary #128. Joan appreciated and enjoyed the friends she made in the Auxiliary. She was proud of the many offices she held and the volunteer work and activities she was a part of including the Annual Walk for Breast Cancer, cashiering for the Annual Rummage Sale, and cashiering for the Eagles’ weekly Bingo Nights. Joan Haver was loved by many people and will be missed by family and friends alike, as we hold her close in our hearts and memories. Joan Emily Haver August 6, 1932 - January 23, 2023 Anderson, CA — Per her request, there will not be any services.