Gig Harbor, WA - Longtime La Grande resident, Joan Zartman, passed away peacefully on October 30, 2025, in Gig Harbor, WA, from Alzheimer's disease, at the age of 87.

She was surrounded by her daughter, Kendra Zartman of Vaughn, WA; her son, David Zartman of Los Angeles, CA; and her husband of 61 years, Charlie Zartman. It would have been their 62nd anniversary in November.

Joan was born in 1937 in Rochester, New York. She attended the Syracuse School of Nursing and was a licensed RN for many years, attending patients in low-income housing.

She moved to La Grande with her family in 1980. Her mother, Anita Clarridge, was a well-known and loved member of the La Grande community as well.

Joan was an avid birder, hiker, crossword puzzler, cook, reader of mystery novels, and more. She doted on her grandchildren Shayla, Kayleigh, Zelie, and Hazel. She loved being "tested" by the family picking an obscure word from the dictionary—nine times out of ten, she knew the definition of that word!

Joan died from Alzheimer's disease. As there will be no formal service, donations in Joan's memory can be made to the Alzheimer's research foundation of your choice to help end this horrible disease. Charlie can be reached at zartman75@gmail.com.