Obituary

Olive Joan Milburn, 92, of Grinnell, IA of passed away on May 6, 2025, at St. Francis Manor in Grinnell.

A memorial service will be held at 10:30 am, on Friday, May 16, 2025, at Grinnell United Methodist Church. A graveside service will follow at Hazelwood cemetery. A luncheon will then be held in the friendship center at Grinnell United Methodist Church.

A visitation will be held from 4:00 pm to 7:00 pm on Thursday, May 15, 2025, at Smith Funeral Home in Grinnell.

Memorials may be made payable to the St. Francis Manor Foundation or Grinnell United Methodist Church, mailed in c/o Smith Funeral Home, PO Box 368, Grinnell, IA 50112.

Joan was born on February 11, 1933, to John Edward and Olive (Kelley) Grosvenor in Colfax, Iowa. Joan grew up in Newton and graduated with the class of 1950. She attended Central College until her mother passed away. She moved back home to help raise her younger sister.

On March 23, 1952, Joan was united in marriage to Donald W. Milburn at the Methodist Church in Newton, IA. To this union the couple had three boys, Dave, Richard and John.

Joan was quite active in the community. In addition to working in the family furniture store she volunteered for the Grinnell Regional Medical Center as a patient advocate and president of the auxiliary committee. She served on the Seeland Park Welcoming and Marketing Committees and assisted with local elections. Joan was a Den Mother for each of her sons Cub Scout Dens. Joan was a long-time member of the United Methodist Church where she served on committees as well as a leader of the youth choir.

Joan is survived by her sons, John Milburn, and Dave (Penny) Milburn, her daughter-in-law, Colleen Milburn, her grandchildren, Jason (Jessica) Milburn, Mark (Anne Devereux) Milburn, Andrew (Heather) Milburn, Ryan (Levi Ward) Milburn and Mallory (Matt) Gaul, her great-grandchildren, Xia Milburn, Riley Milburn, Harrison Gaul and Hannah Gaul, and her sister Jane (Cal) Halliburton.

She is preceded by her husband, Donald, her parents, John and Olive, her son Richard, and her brother Jack.

To send flowers to the family of Olive, please visit our floral store.