Memorial
Joan Holm Schultz, 91, died November 5, 2025, in Cedar Rapids, Iowa, from Alzheimer’s disease. She was born July 31, 1934, in England to Inga Nordenadler Holm, originally of Sweden, and Johan Holm, originally of Norway. Along with her younger sister, the Holm family immigrated to the United States from England during World War II and settled in New Jersey. Joan graduated from the prestigious College High School in Montclair, NJ, and attended Northwestern University in Evanston, Illinois, graduating in 1956.
Interment services will be held at 2:00 PM on Monday, November 10, 2025, at Grace Episcopal Church: 707 8th Street, Boone, Iowa 50036.
Joan married Richard “Dick” Johnson, a native of Atlantic, Iowa, and a Northwestern graduate, and they lived in Evanston, where they had three children: Sharon, Jamie and Richard. In 1963, they moved to Boone, Iowa, where Dick became manager of local radio station KWBG. After their divorce, Joan joined the staff of Woodword State Hospital School as a secretary. She would work there for about 25 years, earning accolades and promotions and eventually becoming Director of Special Services.
In Boone, Joan was remarried to Dick Schultz of Schultz Labs and Chemicals. They were married until his death in 2013. The two enjoyed a life of traveling to Hawaii and New Mexico, attending the opera in Indianola, hosting notorious holiday parties at Schultz Labs and Pufferbilly Days parties in their back yard on South Boone Street, caring for a number of cats and swimming during the summers at the Boone pool. Joan was a member of PEO and a longtime treasurer at Grace Episcopal Church in Boone.
Joan was a fierce, smart and independent woman with strong opinions who imparted her wisdom and advice to her children.
Joan is survived by her sister, Lily Holm Sayer of Fort Lauderdale, Fl.; daughter Sharon (Mark) Hollinrake of Solon, IA, and their children Beth, Darby, Kasey, Kari and Abrielle; daughter Jamie Johnson of Dallas, TX, son Richard (Lisa) Johnson of Tulsa, OK, and their children Avery and Annalee; and eleven great-grandchildren.