Joan Helen Mapes

Joan Helen Mapes, 92, passed away on November 23, 2025.

Joan Helen Keetch was born August 6th, 1933, in Dingle Idaho to Elisha P. Keetch and Doris Quayle Keetch. Joanie, as she was lovingly called by family and friends, was the fifth child of six. Joan was preceded in death by her parents, four of her siblings, Darrell, Gwynne, Doyle, and Farrell, and her loving husband of 71 years, Earl C. Mapes.

Joanie grew up on a cattle ranch with her parents and her siblings, her chores were varied from helping her mother with meals and laundry for the entire family, as well as hitching up the team of work horses and going into the fields to work right alongside her brothers.

Joan met Earl in High School, they dated before going separate ways for a while. Joan went to BYU to attend college courses while Earl enlisted in the Air Force. Eventually, Earl made his way back to Joan to propose and she finally agreed! They were married January 5th, 1954 in Logan, UT. Shortly after being married, they left for Riverside, California, where Earl was based at the March Air Force Base. Eventually, Earl and Joan returned to Idaho and settled in Pocatello where Earl began school at ISU.

After 7 years, Earl and Joan welcomed Michael Cory Mapes in 1961, followed by Christopher Brian Mapes in 1963, and Julie Kay Mapes in 1966, it was everything Joan had ever wanted. Joan was a loving caring mother, she gave everything for her family. She worked full time at Van Gas and then at Kruse Insurance where she retired as an Insurance Agent after 26 years. Even though she worked full time, there was always breakfast, lunch and dinner served at the kitchen table in the Mapes home every day of the week. We all have fond memories of mom loading up the camper on Friday evenings after work so we could head off on new adventures on the weekends during the summer. Adventures included heading out to the Ranch most of the time and returning on Sunday evenings to do it all over again. Our camping adventures also took us to Disneyland, the World Fair in Seattle, WA in 1976, and Yellowstone National Park. The fall months were for canning with her beloved Mother-in-law Stella, and during the winter months we looked forward to homemade cinnamon rolls, crescent rolls and her fresh wheat bread that she made after grinding her own flour. Joan was an amazing cook and she enjoyed making everyone's favorites.

Joan served as a cub scout leader for several years when her children were young and volunteered at the Bannock County Hospital after her children were grown.

Joan is survived by her sons, Michael (Jolene), their children Jennie, Trayvn (Katie), Travis (Shauna), and Joanie(Austin Shaw), Christopher (Jenny Stewart), his boys, Brandon (Savannah Redding), Jordan (Alicia), daughter, Julie Paz (John Aubrey) and her boys, Levi Paz (Kay'cee), and Tristin Paz (Janeane Robinson), seven great grandchildren, numerous Nieces and Nephews and one brother, Paul Keetch.

Our mother Joan will be greatly missed, she taught us patience, the love for the outdoors, being true to ourselves, and the greatest of all gifts, unconditional love. She was the keeper of our family, the heart that beat for all of us. Run free once again dear mother, rejoice with your husband, your parents and siblings, and ride your magnificent Appaloosa horse Chief with your legs wrapped tightly around him and your fists gripping his mane, you have a lot of catching up to do!

A funeral service will be held at 11:00 am on Saturday, November 29, 2025 at Wilks Funeral Home, 211 W Chubbuck Road, Chubbuck, ID. A viewing will be held prior beginning at 10:00 am. Burial will follow the service at Mountain View Cemetery, 1520 S 5th Avenue, Pocatello, ID.

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