Joan Carol Dehn Whidden (Joanie)
November 28, 1936 – March 20, 2026

With grace, faith, and a life devoted to love, Joan Carol Dehn Whidden passed away peacefully at the age of 89, leaving behind a legacy grounded in Christ and a love that will continue to guide and comfort all who were blessed to know her. 

Joan was born in Seattle on November 28, 1936, to Mildred and Clinton Stewart and was their third daughter (older sisters Dorothy and Patricia), and 17 months later, her brother Milton was born. The tight-knit family lived in White Center until Joan was six years old when the family moved to Burien where she proudly graduated from Highline High School in 1955. In the 40’s, Joan and her sisters were dancers and performed at USO shows at military bases across the Puget Sound area. Joan began working at a stock brokerage firm in Seattle until she married Joseph Saitta in 1957 and joined the Roman Catholic Church. Joan was a talented cosmetologist in Burien, and owned her own salon. During their 16-year marriage, Joan and Joe had one beloved daughter, Theresa. Theresa married Joan’s cherished son-in-law Karl Schmeichel in 1987.

Joan’s family were not church goers, but Joan (from a very young age) had a desire to know God. In the 5th grade, Joan was given a Gideon New Testament which she signed in 1948 stating that she had received Jesus Christ as her Savior.

Joan’s deep involvement in the community included being elected to serve the Washington State Republican Party as a delegate at two national conventions and was elected and served for 45 years as a Precinct Committee Officer. Joan was also passionately involved in the Miss America Scholarship Organization for 40 years at the local and state levels. During this time, Joan’s service to her community was honored when she was named “Woman of the Year” by the Burien Chamber of Commerce.

In 1973, Joan met Donald Dehn and married in 1975. Both Joan and Don joined a local church and began to hear clear teaching from the bible for the first time. In 1983 Joan began attending Precept Bible Studies and after studying to teach, began leading groups at Boulevard Park Church where she was wholeheartedly involved until her passing. Joan spoke at retreats and other events and was introduced to Luis Palau and began supporting this ministry, serving on the board for several years. 

Joan and Don moved to Judson Park in Des Moines in 2009 where they were able to get help with Don’s health issues. Of course, Joan jumped in and started bible study groups which she facilitated at Judson Park for many years. Don passed away in 2016 from Alzheimer’s. 

On June 5, 2018, Joan met Harold Whidden, a wonderful Christian man, and married Hal on October 20, 2018, and began a joyful loving union. 

On January 5, 2021, Joan experienced the profound loss of her beloved and beautiful daughter Theresa Ann. 

Joan was a seamstress of extra-ordinary talent having created wedding and pageant gowns, complex quilts, and stitchery over the years. She loved her pets, travel, being a fashionista, and was a fan of all Seattle sports teams. Joan was a stranger to no one, was a generous giver of time and finances, and her smile would light up any room. She was delighted to be a bonus mom, Nana, Grand Nana, Aunt and Grand Aunt, not only to her biological family, but for the blended families through marriages. Joan was loving, steady, and wise during her long life. 

Joan left this world peacefully on March 20, 2026, after a reoccurrence of cancer. Joan leaves behind her dearest husband Hal; sister Patti and brother Mick along with countless other heartbroken relatives and dear friends. She has been welcomed into heaven by the Lord and many members of her family and friends. The family wishes to thank the staff at Valley Medical Center and Judson Park for their tender love and support of Joanie during her health challenges. 

Well done, good and faithful servant – your journey on earth complete, your eternal joy has just begun.

Celebration of Life will be Saturday, May 16th

Please join the family for a Celebration of Joan’s Life on Saturday, May 16th at 2:00 p.m. at Boulevard Park Church located at 1822 S. 128th Street, Burien, WA 98168 with a reception to follow at the church.

New Scholarship Will Honor Joan

Donations in Joan’s memory would be joyfully accepted for the new “Joan Dehn Whidden Memorial Scholarship” at Highline High School Alumni Foundation, P.O. Box 66647, Burien, WA 98166, or visit the “online store” at hhsaf.org to donate securely online via a “Scholarship Donation.”

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