Joan Shrum

Monday, April 18, 2011
Joan Shrum

Joan Tanner Shrum, 80, of Glenns Ferry, passed away peacefully, surrounded by loving family, on Friday, April 15, 2011.

A viewing will be held from 4-7 p.m. on Friday, April 22, 2011, at Rost Funeral Home, McMurtrey Chapel in Mountain Home. Funeral services will be held at 10:30 a.m., on Saturday, April 23, at Glenns Ferry High School.

Burial will follow at Glenn Rest Cemetery in Glenns Ferry.

Joan, and twin sister Joyce, were born to Alta Rowse and Douglas Floyd Tanner, April 8, 1931. Joan found being a twin to be "ever-so-much fun." In grade school she and Joyce switched spots so that Joyce could enjoy double

art classes and she could take double music lessons. They dressed alike, went everywhere together, and were fondly called "The Tanner Twins."

At age 12, the Tanner family moved into the "Tanner Home" at 250 S. 10th E. in Salt Lake City, Utah. The Tanner family filled this three-story, five-bedroom, five-fireplace home with beautiful music, lots of laughter and endless love.

Joan graduated from East High School and attended the University of Utah.

The Tanner Twins participated in many campus activities and were active members of the Kappa Kappa Gamma sorority. They sang in the Homecoming Quartet contests, winning first place two years in a row. The twins also wrote the music for the Greek Spring Chorus competition. Joan accompanied

the Kappas, and Joyce directed them to first place two years in a row. Joan proudly wore her white WRA sweater, was a member of the Spurs, Cwean, and Mortar Board and was elected Student Body Historian.

In college days, the Tanner Twins worked summers as waitresses at the Grand Canyon. In addition to providing musical entertainment, they wrote and planned shows. At 5¹8², the twins stood out not only for their beauty, but

for their exceptional musical talents as well.

Joan met Paul Shrum at the University on a blind date and following her graduation, married him June 10, 1952. Paul was commissioned in the US Air Force as a pilot, and they spent several years in Germany. Later, Paul and Joan moved with their three children to Paul's hometown of Glenns Ferry.

Joan and Paul raised four children: Kris (Randy) Mall of Boise, Paul D. (Debra) Shrum of Mountain Home, Steve (Pam) Shrum of Dallas, Texas, and Jack Shrum of Glenns Ferry. She was also a proud Grandma Joan of 13 and great-grandma of four.

Joan enjoyed working in her garden, tending to each flower with love and appreciation.

Joan was a skillful seamstress as well. Her fingers worked magic on Krissie's dresses, her boys' torn jeans and special projects for loved ones.

Joan taught for 19 years. She brought her love of music and athletics to Glenns Ferry High. There she established the female gymnastics, drill team and track programs. Joan loved teaching and, as always, went above and beyond her duties by registering for summer classes and spending countless hours with students outside the classroom.

Joan was a respected and well-loved member of the Glenns Ferry community.

She accompanied the community choir for many years and was a leader of PEO, Art Guild, and Beta Sigma Phi.

Joan is survived by her husband, Paul, her children and their families, her twin sister Joyce (Robert) Stalnaker, sister Gayle (Ken) Cromer, brother Floyd (JoAnn) Tanner and brother Bruce (Stephanie) Tanner.

She was preceded in death by her parents and brother Douglas, Jr.

The family wishes to express a special thanks to Amy from Horizon Home Health and the doctors and nurses of St. Lukes (Meridian) for their compassionate care.

The family requests that donations in Joan's memory be made to the Three Island Senior Center, P.O. Box 263, Glenns Ferry, ID 83623.