Joan Irma Holtgreive

Joan Holtgreive

May 7, 1929-June 21, 2026

Joan Irma (Durocher) Holtgreive was born in Detroit, Michigan on May 7, 1929, to Otto Oliver and Louise Mary (Van Coillie) Durocher. Five months after Rev. Dr. Martin Luther King, one month before Anne Frank, and five months before the stock market crash that launched the Great Depression. In her 97 years, Joan witnessed

history and made her mark on it. Literally, once, as she decided to “touch up” a painting that turned out to be work of a significant artist.

Her mantra? “I have my faults, but being wrong isn’t one of them.”

Joan believed she could make things better with her wit, talent and enthusiasm. She wasn’t wrong. Anyone who was sitting beside her when she did her signature “lean and laugh” was inevitably drawn into her delight. She was quick with one-liners, wry observations, and cheesy puns. Skills she learned from her two salty older brothers, Bob and Chuck Durocher, whom she adored. Her relationship with her older sisters, Mary Ann (Kiki) and Genoveve was more complicated.

Joan’s talents centered around children and art. After graduating from Marygrove College with a degree in child psychology, she taught kindergarten for a couple of years before marrying Bill Holtgreive. A tall, handsome electrical engineer who adored her throughout their courtship and 65-year marriage. Joan raised six children, and managed the relentless stream of laundry, cooking, and occasional refereeing with a cigarette in hand or smoldering in a nearby ashtray.

Her love of art sneaked its way into her family life. The house was often filled with music, usually show tunes. She spent hours at her beloved Duo-Art piano, mastering Scott Joplin rags and Cole Porter classics. She sang with the St. Thomas Aquinas Choir and later with the Pelican Landing Singers. She sewed, knitted and quilted. And more than one of her five daughters was gently “helped” when our execution of her arts and craft projects as a Brownie leader didn’t quite live up to her vision.

As her kids grew up, Joan leaned into art fully. After being told the only way she could take art history at Michigan State University was to enroll as a freshman (“Only if I can try out for cheerleading,” she responded), she found a better way in—as a docent at MSU’s Kresge Art Museum. She loved learning about art history and special exhibits. She shared her infectious enthusiasm with schoolchildren and eventually led the docent program.

Joan’s other passions included golf, bridge, and having an opinion about everything and everyone she met (or sometimes just saw in passing), delivered in her inimitable church whisper, which could be heard for miles. She practiced that whisper through a full Catholic school education and a lifetime of faith.

Joan started creating art as well as appreciating it. Her children, grandchildren, great grandchildren and friends have evidence of her prolific art career. She leaves behind several unfinished works, including and especially her children: Maryjo (Tim) Lemanski; Janet (Jay) Dean; Paul (Julie) Holtgreive; Denise (Russ) Christy; and Amy (Tim) Storey.

She was happiest when surrounded by her family, including 14 grandchildren and 13 great grandchildren. And we know she will be embraced in her next life by her loving husband, Bill, her daughter, Nancy (Dave), and countless friends, who will be waiting with a big glass of red wine (aka red pop) if they know what’s good for them.

We will celebrate Joan’s life and legacy on August 8, 2026. Mass at 10:30 AM at St. Stephen Catholic Church, 750 Gladstone Dr. SE, Grand Rapids, Michigan, 49506. Luncheon and celebration of life to follow. In lieu of flowers, please donate to the National Brain Tumor Society in honor of Nancy Holtgreive Ahmann.