Joan Elaine Whitten

Joan Elaine Whitten, age 76, of Urbandale, IA, passed away unexpectedly on Thursday, April 21, 2022 at Unity Point Iowa Methodist Medical Center in Des Moines.

A private graveside service will be held at the Union Township Cemetery near Coon Rapids.

Joan was born on September 17, 1945 in Conway, AR, and she was the daughter of Eugene and Martha (Vaden) Carpenter.  Joan’s family moved to Chicago when she was 9 years old, and she graduated from Waller High School in Chicago in 1963.  She attended Augustana School of Nursing in Chicago and worked as a Registered Nurse at Children’s Memorial Hospital.  Joan was married to Kyle Whitten on November 26, 1966 in Chicago.  The couple lived in southern Illinois where Kyle served his medical residency for one year and then moved to Des Moines where Kyle was a board-certified foot and ankle surgeon. Joan worked as a nurse at Mercy Medical Center and later as Kyle’s nurse and office manager.  Kyle passed away in 2002.  Joan enjoyed reading, cooking, and spending time with her family especially her grandchildren.

Joan is survived by two sons: Adam Whitten (Susan) of Hudson, WI, and Brad Whitten (Ashley Barott) of Lino Lakes, MN; two grandchildren: Gretchen and Erin Whitten; a sister Carolyn Pitner of Arkdale, WI; a brother-in-law Robert Whitten of Johnston; and several nieces and nephews.

Joan was preceded in death by her parents Eugene and Martha Carpenter; her father and mother-in-law Orlo and Grace Whitten; a sister Barbara Smith; and her husband Kyle Whitten.