Joan Helen Rausch Tucker, 89, of Marysville, died Monday, Oct. 23, 2017, at The Ohio State University (OSU) Ross Heart Hospital.
A cosmetologist, she owned and operated “Joan’s Fashion Beauty Salon” for 39 years. Upon graduation from Nationwide Beauty Academy in 1962, she opened her first salon at her residence on Allen Center Road. She also operated through the years out of her homes on E. 6th Street and Brookside Court. She retired in Oct., 2001.
Since 1981, she also held a realtor’s license and was an associate at HER Realty. Following graduation from Rosedale High School in 1946, she worked for a short time at O.M. Scott & Sons before starting her career as a beautician.
She was a member of Trinity Lutheran Church, where she was baptized and confirmed her faith. She and her late husband, John W. Tucker Sr., enjoyed western style square dancing, of which he was a caller and instructor. They owned and operated The Alamo Square Dance Hall in Pharisburg for more than 30 years. Upon retirement from square dancing, they established The Alamo Teen Center, where they were affectionately known as “Momma and Papa Rocker.”
She and her husband were avid travelers. They visited Switzerland and Germany and took road trips throughout the western part of the United States. Her family fulfilled her dream of visiting Hawaii in 2013.
She enjoyed oil painting and liked painting landscapes of family vacations and travels. She cherished spending the holidays with her family, talking about her life growing up on the farm and reminiscing about the “good ol’ days.” She enjoyed playing Monopoly and Easy Money with her grandchildren and was a big fan of the OSU Buckeyes, especially the gymnastics team, of which her grandson, Michael, was a member.
She will be remembered for playing the piano with her grandchildren, watching Shirley Temple movies, offering special quotes and sayings and her fascination with chocolate covered cherries. Her favorite song was “Somewhere Over The Rainbow.” Above all, she was fervent in her support of higher education for her children and grandchildren and was proud that college was a priority to them.
She was born on Aug. 11, 1928, in Milford Center, to the late William P. and Anna M. Jenny Rausch. In addition to her parents, she was also preceded in death her husband of 33 years, John W. Tucker Sr., whom she married on July 19, 1969, and who died in 2003; daughter, Vicki Lynn Claar; infant grandson, Austin Thomas Claar; sister, Luella Drumm; and brother-in-law, Carl Drumm.
She is survived by her daughter, Glenna Jo (Steve) Bell of Marysville; son, Gary (Connie) Claar of Milford Center; grandchildren, Audrey Marie Claar of Milford Center, Rachel Katherine Claar of Dublin, Michael Steven (Kayla) Bell of Powell and Tiffany Lynn (Chris) Sobas of Mesa, Arizona; great-grandchildren, Elijah and Kaylee Sobas; step-great-grandchildren, Carmyn and Cody Sobas; step-great-great-grandchildren, Brilynn, Kyiah and Abrey; special nieces, Cathy (Tim) Morse and Cynthia Drumm; step-children, Gypsy, Gwin, John Jr., Terry and Brian; and many other close relatives and friends.
The family will receive friends from 4 p.m. to 7 p.m. Friday at Underwood Funeral Home, where the Rev. Barry Scott will officiate funeral services at 10 a.m. Saturday. Interment will follow at Oakdale Cemetery.
Memorial contributions may be made in her memory to Trinity Lutheran Church or Memorial Hospital Mobile Meals. Condolences may be expressed to the family at www.underwoodfuneralhome.com.