Joan Myhren Hughes, of Rapid City, South Dakota, passed away at Hospice House on February, 8, 2014 at age 73. She was a spirited, generous, adventurous woman who was deeply devoted to her family, friends, and neighbors. She was the loyal friend behind the scenes for anyone who was sick or in need. She had a saucy sense of humor and a way of making people feel special and supported. Joan also had a talent for organizing fun events, and she especially enjoyed spending time in the outdoors with friends and familywalking, hiking, camping, and picnicking. She loved the arts, especially theater. She had a flair for style and an exquisite taste in décor. She played tennis, piano, and guitar, and she was quite skilled in knitting and needlepoint. A passionate traveler, Joan visited many countries and particularly enjoyed her trips to India and the Eastern Mediterranean. She was very active in church, the BF chapter of the PEO Sisterhood, her bridge group, and several Republican state political campaigns. Joan was born in Rapid City, South Dakota on July 31, 1940 to William and Rose Myhren. She attended Wilson Elementary School and Rapid City High School (Class of 58). She graduated from the University of Nebraska at Lincoln, where she was president of Pi Chapter, Gamma Phi Beta Sorority. In 1964, she earned a MS degree in Audiology and Speech Pathology from Stanford University. She lived in the San Francisco Bay Area for 15 years before moving back to Rapid City in 1977. For 25 years, she taught profoundly deaf children to communicate orally. These children became adults who now fully function in a hearing society. During her career, she taught in the San Jose Unified School District and the Santa Clara School District in California, as well as the Wall School District and Rapid City Area Schools in South Dakota. On December 29, 1964, in Rapid City, Joan married Wiley Hughes of Bakersfield, California. Together they raised two wonderful children. She was preceded in death by her father, William J. Myhren, and by her mother, Rose Myhren Buckingham. She is survived by her husband Wiley Hughes; her son Robert Hughes, daughter-in-law Tracy Hughes, and her grandson Ian Hughes, all of Mechanicsville, Virginia; her daughter Jennifer White, son-in-law Sean White, and grandchildren Rose and Wilder White, all of Mountain View, California; and her brother Robert Myhren, sister-in-law Lynette Myhren of Monument, Colorado, and nephews William and Gregor Myhren of Lakefield, Colorado. Joan was a long-time member of St. Andrews Episcopal Church and Emmanuel Episcopal Church. Many significant moments of Joan's life occurred at Emmanuel Episcopal Church, such as her baptism, her marriage to Wiley Hughes, and the baptism of her children, Robert and Jennifer. Memorial contributions will go to Emmanuel Episcopal Church, and services will be held there on Tuesday, February 11, 2014 at 1:00 PM (717 Quincy St., Rapid City, SD 57701). Visitation will be from noon until 1:00 PM at Emmanuel Church prior to the funeral service. Immediately following the funeral service, a brief burial service will be held at Mountain View Cemetery and followed by a reception back at the church. Funeral arrangements were made possible by Osheim & Schmidt Funeral Home of Rapid City. An online guestbook may be signed at www.osheimschmidt.com The family offers its profound gratitude to the many friends who have been such a comfort.