Joan Cramer Schneider, 88 years old, passed away July 23rd in Jacksonville, Oregon.
A Celebration of Life will be held at 2:00 p.m. on Friday, June 27, 2025, at St. Alban’s Episcopal Church in Spirit Lake, Iowa. Arrangements are under the direction of the Robinson Funeral Home in Spirit Lake. Online condolences may be left at www.spiritlakefuneralhome.com
Joan Patricia Cramer was born on October 19, 1935. She was raised in San Diego, California, and graduated from USC in 1957 as a dental hygienist. She practiced Dental Hygiene in San Diego, Los Angeles, and San Francisco before marrying Bob Schneider in 1963. They started their family immediately and had two children, Stac and Robbie, who kept her busy.
They lived in Sheldon and Council Bluffs, running small businesses, before landing permanently in Okoboji, Iowa, in 1974. They owned and operated Okoboji Boats Marina for 13 years and treasured the lakes region in all its seasons.
Joan served as Co-Chair of the Dickinson County Trails Association in addition to the original planning committee, which launched the “spine trail” connecting Milford to Spirit Lake. She loved to bike and was instrumental in building a safe bike trail system so kids and adults could safely enjoy the lakes area. Those trails have now grown to 60+ miles of paved trails.
Joan served on several boards in the lakes area, including the Dickinson County Conservation Board (President in 1993), the University of Okoboji Foundation, and for Bank Midwest. Joan also enjoyed serving under Governor Brandstad on the IA DNR Board for a 6-yr term.
Joan was blessed with many amazing friendships that she cherished, including cycling (which always included lunch), KKG sisters, riding RAGBRAI with Bob, gardening, and needlepointing.
Joan and Bob were members at St Albans Episcopal Church where she had dear friends and taught Sunday school. Joan assisted with organizing the Dickinson County Community Alliance Project and was awarded the “Lady of the Year” Beta Sigma Phi of Dickinson County in 1992. She was also honored as an “Environmental Woman of Action” representing Iowa in 1993. Joan and Bob loved to travel! Mexico for the winter, road trips in the fall to see the leaves change, train trips through Russia, San Diego and cycling all over the world.
Joan is survived by her children, Stac and Robbie, and 4 grandchildren.
She was preceded in death by her husband, Bob; her sister, Jean; and her parents.
In lieu of flowers the family asks that memorials be directed to: www.dickinsoncountytrails.com/donate or have them mailed to: Dickinson County Trails PO Box 304 Okoboji, IA 51355
