Nack, Joan B. (nee Brown), baptized into the hope of Christ's resurrection, Thursday, February 26, 2026.

Devoted mother of M. Susan (Neil) Schmidt, Michael R. (Barbara) Nack, and the late Matthew G. Nack (the late Dawn Zetterberg); cherished grandmother of Christopher, Tracy (Kim), and Stephen (Erin) Schmidt, Vanessa Barr, and Justin (Heather) Zerweck; loving great-grandmother of Alexis, Cameron, and Hadley Schmidt, Max Barr, Kyla, Justin, and Anthony Zerweck; dear aunt of Edward H. Damrath, cousin, and friend to many.

Joan was predeceased by her parents, Evelyn (George) Bratton and Elva E. Brown, her beloved grandparents, Roy and Margaret Gollahon and Emma Brown Maltby, her younger son, Matthew, and her sister, Kathryn Damrath.

Joan began her working life at the age of 10, finding a job at a dime store during World War II.  As a young mother she worked on the factory line at White-Rodgers.  After her younger son, Matthew, was born severely disabled, she worked evenings and Saturdays as a cashier at National Food Stores so her husband, Bud, could be at home with their children. Joan's mother taught her bookkeeping and that led to jobs at various businesses for many years as a well-respected bookkeeper. She went back to school and earned her GED at night.

Finally, Joan decided to follow her dream and enrolled in evening nursing classes at Maryville College while continuing to work in bookkeeping as well as a part-time bartender.  Joan received her Associate's Degree in Nursing in 1979 and passed her licensure exam as a Registered Nurse. She accepted her first nursing position at St. Joseph's Hospital in Kirkwood where she worked for many years. She continued to take evening classes and in 1990 earned her Bachelor of Science in Nursing.  After two years working on a cardiac care unit, Joan began living her true calling as a labor and delivery nurse caring for expectant mothers and helping to bring countless babies into the world.

Joan was also trained in hypnosis and had her own business treating clients with assorted issues for a period of time.  After the job at St. Joe's became too physically demanding, Joan accepted a position with Matria to monitor patients in several states with high-risk pregnancies. Joan learned new computer skills for this position.

Family life and traditions were very important to Joan, and she reveled in the role of family matriarch. She was an accomplished cook and baker and enjoyed hosting family dinners, holiday celebrations, and parties from small gatherings to a few big blowouts.

Joan's children were the focus of her life for many years, making personal sacrifices when times were difficult, and she was proud of their many accomplishments, large and small. Likewise, she doted on her grandchildren treating them to overnights, movies, excursions, and restaurant meals, not to mention generous birthday and Christmas gifts. She attended their school programs, religious ceremonies, piano recitals, and athletic events when her work schedule allowed. Her great-grandchildren were her joy. Joan taught them how to play card and board games, read to them, and attended their activities when her health allowed. She did not require prompting to share photos and anecdotes about them.

Joan converted to Catholicism in 1998 and embraced her new faith with dedication. She became an active member of Sacred Heart Church in Valley Park, MO.

Joan had numerous friends throughout her life from early childhood classmates to fellow employees at White-Rodgers and National, to office coworkers, neighbors, nursing school classmates, and most of all her fellow nurses at St. Joe's in addition to the physician staff and security personnel. She became fast friends with the paramedics of the Valley Park Fire District who came to her aid regularly in her later years.

Joan enjoyed numerous hobbies throughout her life including word puzzles, knitting, crochet, cross-stitch, music, performing on stage, playing blackjack at the casino, bingo, fishing, watching television game shows, and enjoying the rolling hills and running streams of the Ozarks. She had several card groups through the years, playing poker, canasta, gin rummy, pinochle, bridge, and hand and foot.  She was an avid reader throughout her life, reading several books a week up until her final days. Joan had a good sense of humor and loved to tease.

In the last year of her life, Joan was a popular resident with the staff at St. Andrew's at Francis Place and was loved by the staff and residents alike.

Joan touched many lives in her 91 years, and she will be missed and remembered by everyone who knew and loved her.

Services: Memorial visitation at Holy Infant Catholic Church, Ballwin, Saturday, April 18, 2026, from 10 a.m. until the time of Mass at 11 a.m. Interment Pea Ridge Cemetery at a later date. In lieu of flowers, Masses preferred or contributions may be made to Nurses for Newborns .

As a service of the SCHRADER Funeral Home and Crematory, friends may sign the family's on-line guestbook at Schrader.com.