Joan M. Best, 79, resident of Rathdrum, died Jan. 4, 2012, at Kootenai Medical Center in Coeur d'Alene. Joan was born Dec. 13, 1932, in Brooklyn, N.Y., to Martin Q. and Sophia (Sheridan) Randle.

She moved here with her father when he retired from the U.S. Navy at Farragut Naval Base, Athol. Joan married Floyd Best on July 5, 1952, in Coeur d'Alene. She was an active member of St. Thomas Catholic Church, the church Auxillary and Beta Sigma Phi. Joan worked 21 years for General Telephone retiring as their head operator.

Joan is survived by her husband, Floyd at home; son Dwayne of Butte, Mont.; daughter and husband, Glenda and Drew Bagby of Post Falls; five grandchildren, Elise, Brenen, Amy, Ryan and Nichole; and six great-grandchildren, Alison, Zachary, Derian, Skyler, Macy and McKennena.

Public visitation hours will be held from 3-5 p.m. Tuesday, Jan. 10, 2012, at English Funeral Chapel, 1133 N. Fourth St., Coeur d'Alene. Funeral Mass will be held at 10 a.m. Wednesday, Jan. 11, 2012, at St. Thomas Catholic Church, 919 Indiana Ave., Coeur d'Alene, with burial to follow at Riverview Cemetery in Coeur d'Alene.

Please sign Joan's guest registry and view her online memorial at www.englishfuneralchapel.com.