Joan Elizabeth Woods

Joan E. Woods, 87, of Nampa, Idaho, passed away peacefully on June 30, 2026. She was born to parents Adah Murphy and Ernest Runger on February 7, 1939, in Flint, Michigan. In 1945, Joan’s family moved to Homedale, Idaho, where she completed 1st through 6th grades. She moved to Glenns Ferry, Idaho, in 1951, and there she spent the next two years of school. Her family then moved to Jackson Hole, Wyoming, in 1953, and Caldwell, Idaho, in 1954, before returning to Glenns Ferry in 1955. Joan graduated from Glenns Ferry High School in 1957.

Joan married the love of her life, Joseph Woods, on March 2, 1957, in Glenns Ferry, Idaho. She and Joe welcomed two children, Michelle and Michael. Joe’s career with Union Pacific Railroad took the family to Nampa, Idaho, in 1973, and that is where they ultimately raised their family. Joan was an incredible mother who loved her children deeply. She was a constant source of support, sound advice, guidance, love, and friendship. She and Joe were both avid sports fans (Go, Packers) and were staunch supporters of whatever activities and/or athletics in which Michelle and Mike were involved. They were warm, loving, and generous and always opened their hearts and their home to their children’s friends. Her children were the center of her world. Joan will be missed immensely.

Joan was first employed by the Glenns Ferry School District, and then later the Vallivue SchoolDistrict as the school secretary at Vallivue Junior High. This job was not among the most popular with her children, especially Mike, as he was not crazy about his mother working in the office when he was in junior high. Due to one last relocation with Union Pacific, Joan and Joe spent the last 10 years of their careers in St. Louis, Missouri, where Joan completed her career as an executive secretary in the banking industry before returning to Idaho to enjoy their hard-earned retirements.

Joan was known for her wonderful smile, kind heart, humor, and ability to make friends easily. She cherished her many friendships deeply and constantly maintained the friendships she made throughout the many facets of her life. She had the amazing ability to make everyone feel special, and whether you had been Joan’s friend since high school or were a newer friend she met during her many activities and travels, you knew that she would always be your friend.

Joan was preceded in death by her parents, sister Shirley (Robby) Robinson, and husband Joseph Woods. She is survived by her daughter Michelle (Albert Schmalz) and son Michael (Lisa) Woods; grandchildren Shannon (John) Buyalos and Rosalie Schmalz; grandchildren Morgan (Brian) Holmes and Hayden Woods; four great-grandchildren; and several nieces and nephews, all of whom she adored.

After a courageous battle to recover from injuries sustained during a fall in November of 2024, Joan’s children devotedly split time visiting daily during her stay with Arbor Valley of Cascadia. Both children feel very appreciative to Arbor Valley of Cascadia staff, their residents, and Idaho Home Health & Hospice staff.

A Celebration of Life for Joe and Joan Woods will be held at 11:00 a.m. on August 15th, 2026, at the Caldwell Elks Lodge located at 1015 N. Kimball Ave. in Caldwell, Idaho. Donations can be made in her name to Disabled Veterans of America or a favorite Catholic church. Joan would love the idea of friends and family planting a rose bush of their favorite color in her memory.