Joan Besonen

Joan Besonen, 84, of Fayetteville, died unexpectedly of a heart attack on March 1, 2016. She was vibrant and active to the end and had recently renewed her passport to travel to Italy and Greece next month. She was born May 3, 1931 in North Branch, Minn. to Ruth and George Widell. She graduated from Patrick Henry High School in Minneapolis, class of 1949. While attending the University of Minnesota, she met her adored husband, Philip, and graduated from the University of Arkansas in 1978. She was an active member of Good Shepherd Lutheran Church in Fayetteville and did volunteer work that benefited the Seven Hills Homeless Shelter. She enjoyed a rich social life with her numerous friends in Northwest Arkansas, elsewhere in the U.S. and in Leicester, England. She is survived by three children, Bonnie and her husband Gary Dodson, of Siena, Italy, Julie and her husband James Knapp of New York, N.Y., and Keith, of Fayetteville. Her husband of 55 years preceded her in death. She is also survived by her sister Ruth and her husband, Roger Granberg of Maple Grove, Minn., and her brother Gary Widell and his wife Jean of Edina, Minn., and loving in-laws Elaine Besonen of Litchfield, Minn., Lorraine Besonen of Minnetonka, Minn., Ethel Besonen of Madison, Minn., Donna Denny of Alexandria, Va., and John and Carol Besonen of Tucson, Ariz., and 23 nieces and nephews. A memorial service will be held on June 4 at 1 p.m. at Good Shepherd Lutheran Church, 2925 N. Old Missouri Rd., Fayetteville, Ark. Donations may be made to Fayetteville Animal Shelter, 1640 S. Armstrong Ave., Fayetteville, Ark. 72701. To sign the online guest book, visit www.mooresfuneralchapel.com.