Joan L. Eldredge

Joan Louise Eldredge, of Rochester, died at age 94 on Thursday, October 8, 2015 at the Samaritan Bethany Home in Rochester after a long illness. She was interred with her husband David on October 15 at St. James Episcopal Church in Grosse Ile, Michigan. Memorials can be sent to Season Hospice, 1696 Greenview Drive SW, Rochester MN 55902. Joan was born in Wichita, Kansas on May 20, 1921 of unknown family and adopted at an early age by a couple in Detroit, Michigan, Jacob and Clara Reutter, and raised with brother William. Her musical gifts were evident from a young age, and she studied and performed piano throughout her school years. During high school she would travel by bus to downtown Detroit for piano lessons with a prominent teacher. She entered the University of Michigan School of Music in 1940 to study voice. At a lecture during her freshman year, the young man who sat next to her offered her snacks because her stomach growled every morning. David Eldredge, the attentive classmate, proved to be the love of her life, and his mother Matilda became one of Joans closest friends. She and Matilda travelled to New York City in 1941 for Joan to represent the state of Michigan in the General Electric Hour of Charm radio program, having won the competition among collegiate vocalists. She performed Danny Boy to a national radio audience. Upon returning to Ann Arbor she was invited to break a 97-year tradition before 85,000 fans as the first woman to perform in the big house stadium with the University of Michigan Marching Band, under the direction of William Rivelli, with the Governors of Michigan and Ohio there to witness her performance of The Yellow and Blue at their annual football rivalry. Joan married David Edward Eldredge on November 16, 1942, with one weeks notice once he learned that he had completed officers training in the US Army. He served with distinction in US Field Artillery Battalion 959 in Europe during WWII. In December of 1945 he returned home by ship, and Joan drove to meet him so they could return to Michigan to reunite with his parents and two veteran brothers and their families for Christmas. Joan and David settled in Grosse Ile, Michigan, where they raised their three children. Joan taught piano lessons for more than 30 years, was very involved in church activities, book clubs, and musical activities. She was devoted to her husband, her children, and provided care for Davids parents. Joan and David later retired to northern Michigan in Frankfort. Joan is survived by son Matthew (Clancy) Eldredge and daughter Sarah Rothwell of Rochester, Minnesota; grandchildren Vanessa Eldredge of San Diego, California; Adam Eldredge of Okemos, Michigan; Laura Hiscock of Lansing, Michigan; Patrick Rothwell of Mountain View, California; and Emily Rothwell of Davis. California; great-grandsons Thatcher and Houghton Hiscock of Lansing, Michigan; and great-granddaughter Josie Lien Rothwell of Mountain View, California. Joan was preceded in death by her loving husband of 72 years, David Eldredge, her adoptive parents, and brother William. Her oldest son, David Steven Eldredge, died at age 58 of Parkinsons disease.