Mary Joan Redlinger, age 85, of Washington, died Friday, August 29, 2014, at the Washington County Hospital following a short illness.

Mass of the Resurrection will be held 10:00 a.m. Monday, September 1, 2014, at St. James Catholic Church with Fr. Bernie Weir officiating. Visitation will begin 2:00 p.m. Sunday, August 31st at the Jones & Eden Funeral Home where the family will receive friends from 4:00 until 6:00 p.m. Sunday. Prayer services will be held at 6:00 p.m. at the Jones & Eden Funeral Home. Interment will take place at Elm Grove Cemetery in Washington, Iowa. In lieu of flowers, memorials have been established for St. James Church, Camp R.E.E.C.E., or Washington County Handicapped Housing. Correspondence may reach the family at: Marsha Parker, 9824 Bladensburg Road, Ottumwa, Iowa, 52501. Online condolences may be sent for Joan's family through the web at www.jonesfh.com .

Joan was born January 28, 1929, in Washington, Iowa, the daughter of J.W. "Bud" and Martha (McCartney) Fields. She graduated from Washington High School in 1947 and graduated from St. Luke's School of Nursing in Davenport, Iowa. Joan was united in marriage to Duane Redlinger on January 16, 1951. She was a life long resident of Washington County.

Joan was a devoted farm wife and mother. She worked for a short time as a Registered Nurse at the Washington County Hospital. Joan was a member of St. James Catholic Church, Fortnightly and the Rural Women's Club. Joan and Duane were instrumental in the development of A.R.C. (Association of Retarded Citizens) later to become known as W.C.C.D. (Washington County Citizens with Disabilities). She belonged to the Washington County Nurses Association and helped with local elections for many years. Joan was a great seamstress and enjoyed cooking and gardening.

She is survived by six daughters: Nancy Rezabek and husband Frank of Columbia, Missouri; Pat Redlinger of Ames, Iowa; Marsha Parker and husband Joe of Ottumwa, Iowa; Carol Hoyle and husband Jeff of Washington, Iowa; Franny Otte and husband Kevin of Clive, Iowa; Rhonda Redlinger of Washington, Iowa; eight grandchildren and one great grandson. She is also survived by one brother, Jack Fields and wife Ada of Satellite Beach, Florida.

Joan was preceded in death by her parents, and her husband in February of 2014.