Joan Catharine Maule

Joan Catharine Maule, age 96, of Traverse City, Michigan, passed away peacefully on February 1, 2026 after a short illness, living independently and keeping actively involved in her family and community up until 2 months before joining Charlie.

Joan was born on August 13, 1929, in Traverse City, Michigan, to Otto A. Kropp and Florence J. Kropp (Atkinson). She spent her life deeply rooted in the community she loved. On December 31, 1948, she married Charles W. Maule in a double military wedding with her sister Ruth in Traverse City, beginning a devoted marriage that spanned 58 years until his passing in 2007.

Family was at the heart of Joan’s life. She is survived by her children: Barbara A. Anderson, William C. Maule, Patricia A. Edge, Debra K. Reed, and David M. Maule; and her son-in-law Arnold P. Larsen. She was a proud and loving grandmother to Kara Vest, Erik Anderson, David Edge, Christopher Edge, Jason Reed, Anna  Reed, Nathan Kaufman, Eain Maule, and Lucas Maule, and a cherished great-grandmother to Anthony Vest, Paige Phillips and Theia Sanders Rowe Maule.

She was preceded in death by her beloved husband Charles W. Maule; daughter Gail M. Larsen; daughter Catherine Jean Maule; son-in-law Rev. Dr. Christopher D. Anderson; son-in-law David E. Edge; daughter-in-law Karin Maule; her parents Otto and Florence Kropp; sisters Rosemary F. Foust, Jean M. Mullen, Ruth V. Wilder, Patricia A. Jordan-Sewald-, Shirley M. Castner and brothers Carl F. Kropp, David O. Kropp and Frederick C. Kropp; brothers-in-law Donald Foust, Edwin D. Merrit, David W. Mullen, Paul L. Wilder, Tomas J. Jordan, John E. Seawald, Vito Zukas, and Toby Castner, and sisters-in-law Muriel K. Kropp, Merida M. Kropp and Shirley J. Kropp.

Joan retired from her position as the business manager of the Cherry Capital Airport in 1995. She enjoyed working and worked throughout her entire life. She continued to work part-time after her retirement in 1995 for the Census Bureau and as a bookkeeper until she was 81 because she liked to keep busy.

Joan gave generously of her time and talents throughout her life and instilled a sense of duty in her children by example, often volunteering them to help. She was a past PTA president, a 4-H leader, and served on the Andrew L. Olsen Scholarship Committee. She was deeply involved with Northwestern Michigan College, helping with the NMC Barbeque for 26 years and serving as president of the NMC Barbeque Board for two years. She was also a former member of Zonta and she organized her high school class reunions for many years. Her organizing skills were unparalleled and everything she worked on benefited from her skills.

A woman of strong faith and quiet leadership, Joan was a longtime member of Bethlehem Lutheran Church, where she made history as the first woman elected president of the church council.

Joan will be remembered for her devotion to her family, her tireless service to her community, her faith, and her steady presence in the lives of all who knew her. Her legacy lives on through the many generations she loved and the countless people she served with kindness and dedication.

A memorial service and celebration of her life will be held at Bethlehem Lutheran Church, 1050 Peninsula Dr, Traverse City, MI on Saturday, May 30, 2026 at 10:00 A.M. followed by a committal of her ashes and a luncheon to gather and share memories.

In lieu of flowers please consider donating some of your time to a local volunteer organization to honor this truly unique and giving person.