Obituary of Joan Frances Sanftleben (nee Banner)

It is with heavy hearts the children, grandchildren and great-grandchildren of Joan Sanftleben announce her passing on Sunday January 24, 2021, one week after her 83^rd birthday.  Joan was born January 17, 1938 in Calgary, Alberta. She lived with her maternal grandparents AJ and Edith Rogers after her father, James Banner, passed away when she was 17. Joan was 12 when her mother, Edna Banner passed away. After graduating from Cresent Heights High School, Joan moved to Nova Scotia and joined the Royal Canadian Navy. She had a short but exciting career as a Navy WREN. It was during her time in the Navy she met Melvin Sanftleben, who was also a member of the Royal Canadian Navy. They were married on April 9, 1960. In 1968, Mel and Joan moved to Melville, SK with four of their soon to be five children. While Mel worked for the CN and farmed, Joan excelled at being a homemaker, gardener and could make jam, pickle, can and freeze fruits and vegetables like no other. She enjoyed knitting, crocheting and quilting as she was a very artistic and talented woman. Joan was also a very active participant in her church and enjoyed bible study with her husband and church family. In 2005, Mel and Joan moved to Regina and enjoyed life in the big city keeping active with church and making new friends. Sadly, Joan was widowed in 2010 when her husband and partner, Mel, succumbed to cancer after 50 years of marriage. Joan will be dearly missed by her children, Kathleen (Warren) Schick, Keith (Julie Dixon) Sanftleben, Jane (Mark) Godlien, Laura (Kevin Bowes) Sanftleben and Linda Sanftleben; granddaughters, Kristen (Jeff) Parson, and Amanda Schick; grandsons, Tuloro, Alex and Owen Sanftleben; and great-grandchildren, Makenzie Spiers, Thatcher, Everett and Vayda Parson. She loved and was so very proud of every one of them and never failed to let them know. To mourn her loss, Joan also leaves behind her cousin Glenn Foss; her sister-in-law Lorraine Banner and family; her brother-in-law Howard Sanftleben and family; and sister-in-law Lois Wernicke and family.  She was predeceased by her brother James Banner; cousin Brian Foss; aunts, Phylis Foss and Kathleen Parker; cousin-in-law Donna Foss; sister-in-law Phyllis Sanftleben; and brother-in-law Walter Wernicke. Joan’s ashes will be interred at Queens Park Cemetery in Calgary, AB beside her husband on a later date, yet to be determined, when a memorial service and interment ceremony will take place.  The family would like to thank the staff at Sunset Extendicare in Regina, SK for the wonderful care they provided in the last few months of Joan’s life- she enjoyed the company, playing cards and the friendly and caring staff who helped her settle in to LTC living.  Flowers and donations gratefully declined, instead memorial donations may be made to a charity of choice. Please stay safe during these difficult times.