Joan Russell Uhlig Fiedler of Richardson, Texas passed away peacefully at home and entered her
Heavenly home Tuesday morning, December 24, 2019.
Joan was born to parents Capt. Frank Julius Uhlig, USMC, and Julia Elizabeth Russell of Dallas on
October 13, 1932, in Bremerton, Washington. Joan grew up in Dallas, but spent her early years in China
while her father served at the U.S. Embassy. Although she was very young she had lasting memories of
her family’s time in China and would eventually return to visit as an adult.
Joan attended Our Lady of the Lake Academy in San Antonio, Texas. She then attended Highland Park
High School, graduating in 1951.
Joan was very close to her cousins Edna Russell and Pamela, spending much time with them and Auntie
and Uncle Givens in Alice, Texas. Being close to Port Aransas, TX, the family visited there often and
Joan was a lifelong devotee, passing her love of Port A on to her children and grandchildren.
On Friday, August 2, 1963 Joan and Thomas L. Fiedler were married. They enjoyed many years of love,
fun, travel and time with family and great friends.
Joan’s passion was traveling the world. She crisscrossed Europe, visited Russia, Israel, and China
among many other places. She shared many wonderful memories of her travels including cruising the
River Shannon, walking the Great Wall of China, touring the Egyptian wonders and Italian cathedrals.
Spending time in Colorado, especially hiking in the summers which she did well into her 70s, was
another of Joan’s passions. She enjoyed taking friends and family on her favorite hikes, and was the
perfect guide, having visited the Ranger stations to seek out the best hikes, always learning and being
thoroughly prepared. Joan’s intrepid nature led her to begin skiing in Colorado at age 50 and she
continued for many years. After a knee injury she continued skiing proudly wearing the brightest pink
knee brace on the mountain. The Colorado mountains truly were a loved home away from home for her.
Joan loved learning and spent her life amassing skills and knowledge. She enjoyed being active in many
organizations throughout the years, particularly the Friends of the Library in Richardson, her investment
club and her deeply loved church, The Episcopal Church of the Epiphany where she served in many
ways. She was a life time bridge player, cookbook collector and fan of the SMU Mustangs.
Joan had the most beautiful smile, a wry sense of humor that was impossible to resist and was a friend
to everyone. She was the neighborhood mom that everyone knew and many have a fun or sweet story to
tell about her. It never failed that when running into old friends, Joan’s children would be asked, “how are
you, how is your mom?” all in one sentence.
Joan will be missed by her loving family and devoted friends. Left to cherish her memory are son Russell
Thomas Irons and daughter-in-law Tiny of Ft. Worth, daughters Susan Irons Gould of Austin, and Laura
Irons Coffee and husband Chris of Frisco, as well as grandchildren Julia Irons Graegert and husband
Damon, Wes Irons, Harrison Gould, Clayton Gould and wife Megan, Ashley Flud and husband Frank,
Eric Wine, and also great grand children Tanner and Chloe Graegert.
There will be a private burial on Saturday, January 11
th
, 2020, followed by a memorial service at 3:00pm
the Episcopal Church of the Epiphany, 421 Custer Road, Richardson, Texas. The family would
especially like to thank Helen Czeczok and Cathy Castelleano, Joan’s nurse and care giver for their
compassionate and devoted care. In lieu of flowers, the family requests donations be made to The
Episcopal Church of the Epiphany.