January 17, 1937 ~ August 30, 2025
Joan A. Straw age 88 of New Hampton, IA, died Saturday, August 30, 2025 at her home.
Friends may greet the family 3:00 – 6:00 p.m. Thursday, September 4, 2025 at the Hugeback-Johnson Funeral Home & Crematory in New Hampton where there will be a 6:00 p.m. Prayer Service with Rev. Dan Christiansen presiding.
Joan A. Straw was born January 17, 1937, in Independence, IA, the daughter of Hugh and Mildred (Eernisse) McAllen. She received her education in New Hampton and after graduating with the New Hampton High School class of 1955, Joan didn’t skip a beat and married her high school sweetheart, Merlin “Shorty” Straw, on June 4 of the same year, at the former Williamstown United Methodist Church, just south of New Hampton. Together, they embarked on life’s rollercoaster, raising three daughters—Wendy, Terese, and Lynn.
She began working at the Chickasaw County Treasurer’s office and in 1975, Joan and Shorty took a leap of faith and opened New Hampton Meat Processors, serving up the finest cuts until 1992. But Joan’s dedication to her community didn’t end there; she later joined the Tri-Mark Corporation and later returned to Chickasaw County, with the public health department until retiring in 2009.
Joan’s interests were as diverse as the local wildlife she loved to feed. She and Shorty were the dynamic duo of the open road, often seen zipping around town and socializing with others. Joan’s love for shopping was only matched by her passion for dining out, but spending time with her grandchildren was priceless.
Survivors include two daughters, Terese Straw of New Hampton, Lynn (Roger) Haugen of Fredericksburg; brother, Chad (Rita) Leitch of Cathedral City, CA; sister, Jean (Glen) Huffman of Evansdale, IA; three grandchildren, Jason Goebel, Nick (Halie) Haugen, Mitch (Sabrina) Haugen; four great-grandchildren, Sadie Haugen, Tate Haugen, Collins Haugen, Elliot Haugen.
She was preceded in death by her parents; her husband, Shorty in 2002; daughter, Wendy Payton in 2016 and son-in-law, Tom Goebel in 2002.
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