Joan Elaine Schleutermann nee Abell, age 74, of Lusby, Maryland, died at home Saturday, March 13,2010 at 9:30 PM after a fifteen-year battle with Pick's disease.

Held in the arms of her husband and surrounded by her family, pastor and friends she passed from their hands to God's waiting arms. She was born on the 29th of September in 1935 in Dowell Maryland. Her parents were the late George Raymond Abell of Solomons, Maryland and Margaret Cecelia Barrett of Dowell, Maryland. Joan's paternal grandparents were the late George E. Abell and Ida V. "Ginny" Gamer and her maternal grandparents were the late Alexander J. Barrett and Katie Allen.

Joan Elaine married Walter Michael Schleutermann Sr., the son of the late Walter F. Schleutermann and Anna C. Suraci of North East, Pennsylvania, at her Lusby home on the 28th of December in 1977. They celebrated their 32nd wedding anniversary this past December. Joan was educated at the old Solomon's Schoolhouse as was her mother. A bookkeeper, she was employed in payroll by Bectal Contactor on site at Calvert Cliffs Nuclear Power Plant and later in payroll by Architect of the Capitol Business Office in Washington, D.C. Joan worked for 17 years at Calvert County Nursing Center initially as their bookkeeper and then as their Business Office Manager. She worked for several years in the same capacity at Solomon's Nursing Home-Center and briefly at Charles County Nursing Center in La Plata. Later she worked in sales at the J.C. Penney.

Joan supported Walt in his work as Lion's Club Treasurer, 1995-2000, Calvert County Lions Club District 22-C and she was a member-at-large of the Lioness Club, Prince Frederick. She grew up on the water and loved swimming, boating, camping, snorkeling and crabbing and she liked to fast dance. Joan loved family get togethers and hosted many a holiday dinner. A great cook she was noted for her beach plum jelly and her signature crab bisque soup. Joan and Walt enjoyed the Islands in the Mediterranean and travel out of the country. In 1976, they took a road trip across the southwest states and up the Pacific coast, returning through the middle states. In 2002, Walt, Joan and friends took a cruise through the Caribbean Islands.

She was preceded in death by her parents, George R. Abell in March of 1981 and Margaret C. Barrett on Sept 06 1986, her step-father Jesse N. Dare, March 28, 1991, a brother, Gary L. Dare, May 21 2004, a nephew Eric L. Dare, Sept 13, 1997 and most recently her aunt, Sylvia Barrett Morgan, April 20, 2009.

Joan is survived by her husband Walter, her son Knute C. (Denise) Crivella, her sister Paula (Bob) Dare Wigginton of Great Mills, Maryland, two brothers, Naugle (Betty) Dare of Lusby, Maryland and Jerry (Betty) of Rogers, Texas, a granddaughter, Christianna Crivella, and many nieces, nephews and cousins.

The family wishes to express their special gratitude for the presence and support of Joan's cousin and Walt's friend, Michael Barrett and his wife 1m Sun, support from St. Paul United Methodist Church, Lusby, and especially the kind and caring treatment they received from Dr. Samuel Foster, the Adult Day Care, the Calvert Hospice and all of Joan's personal caregivers. The Pallbearers will include Michael Barrett, David Fallin, Kevin Fallin, David Morgan, Xavier Polanski, Dr. Michael Sivak Jr., and Honorary Pallbearers are Charles F. "Bud" Bell Jr., Katie Sivak, Shawn Bresse, and Thomas Polanski.

Funeral arrangements by Rausch Funeral Home, 20 American Lane, Lusby, with visitation on Thursday, March 18, from 2-4:00 PM and 6-8:00 PM. Visitation with service, burial and reception to follow begins at 10:00 AM, Friday, March 19th, St. Paul United Methodist Church and Cemetery, 11000 H. G. Truman Road, Lusby.