Joan Ruth Boothman

Joan Ruth Boothman, 84, passed away peacefully on Monday, Jan. 27, 2014, at Highlands Healthcare and Rehabilitation Center in Bella Vista. She was born on July 4, 1929, in Madison, Wis., to Paul and Hattie (Zahn) Krueger. Joan was raised in Wisconsin and was a skilled still-life oil painter as well as a talented organist. She loved to cook for her friends and family and made sure that all felt welcome in her home. She was married to the love of her life, Grover Boothman, in 1952 and was the most dutiful, caring and loving wife. She loved her five grandchildren and frequently spoke of the joy they brought her. Joan was preceded in death by her husband, Grover; by her parents; and two brothers, Melvin Krueger and Theodore Krueger. She leaves behind sons, Gary Boothman and his partner, Deb Rogers, of Bella Vista, Brian Boothman and his wife, Julie, of San Jose, Calif.; daughter, Kimberly Duhamel and her husband, Scott, of Bentonville; grandchildren, Aaron Hutchins of Ithica, N.Y., Ben and Crystal Hutchins of Acton, Mass., Courtney and Cole Dodd of Cave Springs, Zachary and Ashli Duhamel of Kansas City, Mo., Maxwell Duhamel of Bentonville; great-grandson, Adrian Boothman; and the many extraordinary caregivers at Highland Healthcare and Rehabilitation Center that tenderly cared for her for the last four years. A memorial service will be scheduled for the early spring in Bella Vista. Local arrangements are by Rollins Funeral Home of Rogers.