Joan C. Fridriksson

Joan C. Fridriksson passed from this life and entered the full glory of her Creator on June 23, 2021.  Joan was born in 1929 in Columbia, Missouri as the only child of Robert Cleveland Cain and Helen Young Cain, soon moving to Poplar Bluff, Missouri.   At Poplar Bluff Senior High School, Joan was Editor of the school paper, Co-Editor of the annual, named a Senior Personality, held the lead in the Senior Play she laughingly said was entitled "The Misleading Lady", and was a member of National Honor Society, among many other activities.

Joan attended Texas Woman's University (then Texas State College for Women) in Denton, TX, majoring in journalism and winning first place in the College Writers' Program.  Soon after college and while working in the Fashion Department of Stephens College in Columbia, MO, she met her future husband, Thor Fridriksson, an Icelander who had gained his United States citizenship by joining the Army.  They met on a blind date that she tried everything to avoid, but it was love at first sight.  They were engaged in two weeks even though he would soon be reassigned to the United States military base in his home country of Iceland.  Less than four months after engagement, she flew alone to Reykjavik, Iceland to marry and live.  Such courage and confidence for a young woman in the early 1950's!   She did not know Icelandic and had not met his family, but she knew this marriage was meant to be.  Although few Icelanders spoke English at the time, she loved her new relatives and her experiences of life in Iceland.  She and Thor honeymooned in Europe, visiting 7 countries.

Thor was career military so Joan fulfilled her role as an Army wife with service to the Army community and the greater community in Kentucky, Rhode Island, Germany and Texas.  In Rhode Island, Joan was President of the Woonsocket Women's Club, Woonsocket Family and Child Service Board member, and Sunday School teacher.  In Karlsruhe, Germany, Joan was Treasurer of the German-American Club, Co-Chairman of the Girl Scout Summer Camp program, Girl Scout leader, and Protestant Women of the Chapel Vice President, serving as the delegate to their conference in Berchtesgaden.  Upon departure from Germany to return to the United States, the Mayor of Karlsruhe presented Joan with an inscribed photo book for her service to the city.  In El Paso, Texas, Joan served in various roles in the Officer's Wives Club to include Second Vice President, Corresponding Secretary, Activities Chairman and Representative to the PX Advisory Board.  Faith was key throughout Joan's life.

After Thor's retirement, Joan and Thor opened a Tiffany's Bakery franchise in El Paso, Texas.   They took great pride in the quality of their product, so much so that the corporate office soon sent new franchisees to their bakery for training.  After selling the bakery, they retired to Lake Travis in Austin, Texas where their schedules were filled with fun times with a group of newfound friends who promptly named themselves the "Movers and Shakers".  Once some of these friends discovered Pecan Plantation, they moved to Granbury, Texas where they maintained an active social life and Joan volunteered at the Granbury Opera Guild.

Joan traveled extensively, visiting 18 European counties (many multiple times), Australia, New Zealand, Tahiti, Mexico, Panama, Canada, among others.  She loved cruises, especially Crystal Cruises, and sailed on too many to count.

She had the quickest and sharpest wit, the bluest eyes, and the truest love of life.   She seemed to find fun and humor in all situations, even difficult ones.  As said in her high school yearbook, she was loved by all who knew her.  We believe this remained true to her final day.

Joan is preceded in death by her husband, Thor, and her daughter, Dr. Lianne Fridriksson.   She is survived by her daughter and son-in-law, Lisa Fridriksson and Robert Mandula, of Plano, Texas.  Joan will be buried alongside her husband who had the honor of being interred in Arlington National Cemetery in Arlington, Virginia.

In remembrance of Joan and in lieu of flowers, a memorial gift may be made to either of the following, which she held dearly:

1. Poplar Bluff Municipal Library

Attn:  Sue Szostak

318 North Main Street

Poplar Bluff, Missouri  63901

In memory of Joan C. Fridriksson, daughter of Helen Cain (Librarian 1937-1964) for the (Helen Cain) Children's Library.  Joan was especially   close to and proud of her mother who, among many other honors and talents, was listed in the first edition of Who's Who of American Women.

OR:

2. Custer Road United Methodist Church (CRUMC)

Attn:  Teresa Stroup

6601 Custer Road

Plano, Texas  75023

In memory of Joan C. Fridriksson for the Treasured Times Program.   Joan loved her involvement with this activity, a true blessing in her later  years.