Obituary of Joanne Jean Gilkison

Joanne Jean Gilkison (Hostetler) of Lakebay, WA. passed away from renal failure at home on October 15, 2020 at age 87. She was preceded in death by her husband Larry Gilkison, brother John “Butch” Waddington, and parents John and Geraldine Waddington.

Joanne Jean Waddington was born on February 24, 1933 in Yakima, WA to John A. and Geraldine J. Waddington. They moved to Wrangell, Alaska when she was a small child where her father worked in canneries and lumber mills. He also worked in the gold mines in Juneau and was a long shoreman in Skagway. During her elementary years, Joanne’s family moved back and forth between Wrangell, Alaska and Yakima, Washington.

Joanne’s brother, and only sibling, John, “Butch” was born in Wrangell when she was 10 years old. Joanne’s parents divorced when she was 12 and Joanne moved back to Yakima to live with her father and paternal grandparents Amos and Elizabeth Waddington. Her maternal grandparents lived nearby and were also an important part of her life. Her father went to work at Yakima’s Sportsman State Park. 

When Joanne was a Freshman in High School, she moved back to Wrangell to live with her mother and help take care of her younger brother. There were only 10 miles of road on the island at the time. It wasn’t until she graduated from High School that she saw her father again. Letters were the only communication during that time.

In High School, Joanne played basketball (the only sport available) and was a cheerleader. Joanne also played the accordion. One of her favorite songs in her Junior and Senior year was Frank Sinatra’s version of “Always.”  Joanne helped both in the restaurant her mother Geraldine owned and caring for Butch. At one point, Geraldine also owned a children’s clothing store. After graduation, Joanne moved back to Yakima and attended nursing school. Joanne enjoyed surgical nursing the most. While Joanne was in nursing school, her mother’s store burned in the Wrangell fire of the early1950’s. 

In 1953, she met Derwin “Dewey” Hutchinson Hostetler II. Joanne left nursing school and was married on January 27, 1954. Soon afterwards, children arrived on the scene. The first born was Derwin “Dewey” Hutchinson Hostetler III and 13 months later, Marcus “Marc” Duane arrived. In a conversation shortly before her death, Mom said that after she had Dewey, she loved him so much, that she didn’t know how she could love another child. “But,” she said “you do.” By the time Joanne was 32, she had 7 children:  Dewey, Marc, Dayton, Pamela, Gretchen, Shane, and Heidi. They lived in a 2-bedroom house in Lakewood, WA where Dewey owned a garage and taxi company. In 1967, they sold that business, loaded up the family, and moved to Lakebay, Washington where they were the owners of the Lakebay Marina and Star Value Herring for the next 20 years. In 1970, Jennifer was born, and the family was even with 4 boys and 4 girls. During the years of running the marina and raising children, Joanne still made time to participate in church activities, crafting, and helping others.

During lean years in the businesses, Joanne also worked as a clerk at the Home Store, the Fruit Stand, and the Bridgeway Market. In 1987 Joanne and Dewey divorced, at which time Joanne pursued training and went to work as a teller for First Interstate Bank.

In 1989, Joanne married Larry Gilkison, a widower, and the love of her life. Larry’s two sons, John and Ed, brought her total number of children to 10. Together she and Larry spent 30 years in loving companionship, traveling in their motor home, gardening, and undertaking an assortment of hobbies. Joanne was known for growing beautiful flowers and baking delicious pies. In her retirement years, Joanne returned to her interests of crocheting, knitting, and quilting. Both she and Larry were known for making gifts for others. She was active in the local TOPS group where she served on several board positions and volunteered with them in her community.

When Joanne was 80, her kidneys failed due to diabetes, and she went on dialysis three days a week. The long-distance traveling ended, and she and Larry took to doing short local trips. By this time Joanne had 26 grandchildren and the great grandchildren were arriving. Joanne loved them all and was always excited to hear another was on the way. In January 2020, Joanne welcomed her thirteenth great-grandchild.

During the early morning hours of October 15, with several of her children at her bedside, Joanne went to be with her Lord and Savior.  

She is survived by her eight children: son Derwin Hostetler III, his wife Meaghan and children Hutch, Adam, and William; son Marcus Hostetler, his wife Sue and children Ryan, Heather, and Hailee; son Dayton Hostetler, his wife Doree and children Lauren and Sarah; daughter Pamela Power, her husband Michael and children Aleece, Emily, Seth, Drew, Brian and Gabriel; daughter Gretchen Bryant, her husband Bill and children Megan and Nathan; son Shane Hostetler, his wife Anna and children Christian, Malena, Hansen, Sören and Anchor; daughter Heidi Roycroft, her husband Gordon and children Naomi and Ellison; daughter Jennifer Hostetler, and her husband Joe Lucero and children Cade and Sadie; her stepson John Gilkison and his son Sam; and her stepson Ed Gilkison. Joanne also had 13 great grandchildren: Matthew, Avery, Dash, Quinn, Cruz, Drew, Logan, Brooks, Wynn, Eric, Titus, Lucas, and Ian.

A memorial service is being planned for late Spring. More information to follow as it becomes available. In lieu of flowers, Joanne wished for donations to be made to Angel Guild Thrift Shop, PO Box 703, Vaughn, WA 98394. 

She will always be dearly loved and deeply missed.  “Toodle-oo.”