Joan Keele Benzon, 75, passed away peacefully on April 30, 2025, in Eagle, Idaho. We are deeply grateful to the wonderful staff at Foxtail Assisted Living who provided her with such exceptional care and compassion during her final years.

Joan was born on June 8, 1949, in Shelley, Idaho, to Dora Elaine Cox and Wayne Keele, Jr. She was raised by her mother, Elaine, in Shelley and Idaho Falls, Idaho, where she formed close bonds with her extended family and cherished cousins.

Her early years in Shelley were spent living with her mother, grandparents, and aunt. She was taught to love reading and serving others. She always said of this time, you could find her sitting in an apple tree reading a book.

Though an only child, Joan considered her cousins as siblings, and these relationships played a special role throughout her life. Joan graduated from Idaho Falls High School in 1967 and went on to study interior design at Ricks College in Rexburg, Idaho.

On December 26, 1970, Joan married her sweetheart and best friend, Douglas Benzon, for time and all eternity in the Idaho Falls LDS Temple. Together, they built a loving and devoted life, and their relationship was an example of unwavering love and mutual respect. Joan and Doug raised three daughters—Brandi, Ami, and Karen—and were proud grandparents to several grandchildren. Joan's devotion to her family, including her children, grandchildren, and anyone she called a friend, was always at the forefront of her heart.

Joan served faithfully her whole life in her assigned areas for The Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints. Some of her favorite assignments were working with children and youth, in the Family History Center, and in the Boise, Idaho LDS temple.

She worked for many years, holding various positions that spanned from an insurance billing specialist to a physical therapy receptionist and assistant. For over a decade, she worked as an analyst at the Idaho Transportation Department, where she was honored three times nationally for her outstanding service and accuracy in reporting fatal crash data. Joan retired in 2012, the same year as her husband, Doug, after both dedicated many years of service to the ITD.

In 2018, she and Doug were able to travel to Tennessee and meet some of her half siblings, Jaime, Richard, & Barry, for the first time.  This event brought her great joy, and she stayed in touch with this branch of her family tree.

Joan is preceded in death by her parents, Elaine Keele and Wayne Keele, Jr.; her infant daughter, Wendi Ann Benzon; her husband, Doug; and many other beloved family members that she spoke of frequently.

She is survived by three daughters: Brandi, Ami (Ryan) Saylor, and Karen (Brent) Goldthorpe, and her beloved grandchildren: Wendi, Hailie, Benjamin, Elizabeth, Samantha, Kiara, Kyson, and Ainslei. Joan is also survived by half-siblings, many cousins, nieces, nephews, and dear friends who will miss her deeply.

Joan's legacy of love, hard work, and devotion to family will live on through those who knew and loved her. Her quiet strength, gentle spirit, and unwavering love for her family will forever be remembered.

Please join us for a graveside service on Friday, May 23, 2025, at 1pm at Kohlerlawn Cemetery, Nampa.