Joan Ahlean (Sutton) Duling, 89, of Lincoln, passed away on March 5, 2012 at Sunshine Haven Hospice in Olmito, TX after becoming ill while on an annual winter vacation at South Padre Island. Joan was born on June 13, 1922 in Lincoln, Nebraska, the oldest of four children born to Sylvia (Rogers) and Spurgeon Ralph Sutton. Her early childhood was spent in Lincoln where the family enjoyed many events and activities with family and friends.
In 1931, the family moved to Omaha. Joan graduated from Tech High in 1940 where she received the Bausch and Lomb Science Award for outstanding work in biology.
During World War II, she worked at the Glenn L. Martin Bomber Plant near Omaha. The B-29 bombers were built there, and Joan was a statistician responsible for the “B-29 Report.” She never knew exactly what the B-29 Report was, but the job paid very well. At this time, she enrolled in the University of Nebraska School of Nursing. She graduated as a Registered Nurse, and began working at the Veteran’s Hospital in Lincoln.
Joan married Henry E. (Hank) Duling on June 5, 1948. They had two children, Greg and Nancy. After living in several Midwestern states, she and her husband returned to Lincoln in 1976. Her family was always her main interest, bringing great joy and happiness into her life. She also enjoyed reading, sewing and playing the piano. Her work as Charge Nurse at Madonna Rehabilitation Hospital in Lincoln was very important to her. She retired from Madonna in 1995. In her later years, she was an avid walker.
Joan was a devoted wife to her husband of 63 years, Hank Duling. She is also survived by her loving children Greg (Arlene) Duling of Aurora IL and Nancy (Jeff) Couch of Naperville IL. She was a wonderful grandmother to Theresa (Ken) Johnson and Susan Duling, and to Matt, Steve and Danny Couch. She loved being a great-grandmother to twins Alec and Meghan Johnson. She was so proud of her children, grandchildren and great-grandchildren.
She is also survived by her sister, Maxine Sutton and sister-in-law Laurida Beckman Murray, and many nieces and nephews. She leaves many friends who were impacted by her compassion and generosity. Joan was preceded in death by her parents, her sister Jean Ankenbrand, her brother Roger Sutton, and her dear Aunt June Brandt, who was like a sister to the family.
A Memorial Service will be held at 11:00 a.m. Saturday, March 24, 2012 at Roper and Sons Chapel, 4300 ‘O’ Street with Rev. Dennis Hanneman, officiating.
She was a member of the Order of the Eastern Star and of St. Mark’s United Methodist Church in Lincoln.
In lieu of flowers, donations would be appreciated to St. Mark’s United Methodist Church, 8550 Pioneers Blvd., Lincoln, NE 68520 or to the Masonic-Eastern Star Home for Children, 2415 North Main Street, Fremont NE 68025.