Joan Ritzenthaler Pereboom

Joan Ritzenthaler (Knier) Pereboom

Joan went to be with her Lord on July 10th, 2019. She was born to W.H. and Davida Ritzenthaler on December 8th, 1942. Her fondest memories of childhood were of growing up on the grounds of the Missouri State Fair while her father was Secretary of the Fair. She attended Southern Methodist University, during which time she was appointed a Princess of the Homecoming court. After graduating with a degree in English, she taught school before marrying Gil Knier and welcoming three daughters. In 1983, she and her girls moved to Eureka Springs, AR to be closer to her mother. While raising her children, she worked for several years as Convention Coordinator for Self-Service Storage Association which allowed her to travel extensively. Subsequently, she worked at the historic Crescent Hotel where she met her second husband, Don Pereboom. They lived for a time at the Rosalie Tour Home in Eureka Springs before moving to Enid to be closer to Don’s family.

Her greatest joys in life were her large extended family, her gardens and her cats (not to mention family nights of Uno & Yahtzee!!).

Joan was preceded in death by her parents, sister and husband. She is survived by her daughters: Stephanie Smith and husband Earl; Melanie Knier; Katrina Maughan and husband Jim; step-children Ted & Susanne Pereboom and Lori & Leo Catanach. She also leaves 11 grandchildren: Shane, Brittany, Christian, Grace, Peyton, Annika, Alaina, Dalton, Jonathan, Adrianna and William; as well as 12 great-grandchil In lieu of flowers, donations may be made to the Enid SPCA  Remembrances may be shared online at www.stittsworthfuneralservices.com..

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