Joan Orr

Joan Orr, 74, of Carlisle, passed away on Saturday May 14, 2022, at her home surrounded by her loving family. She was born on December 9, 1947, in Johnstown PA, to Robert Livingston and Anna (Webber) Livingston. Joan was a loving mother, grandmother, sister, aunt, and friend. She loved teaching and her students, her friends, her pets and her garden; but above all, she loved her children and her grandchildren. She was an avid reader and a lover of language.  Joan was preceded in death by her parents, her husband Bill, her brother Jeffrey Livingston, and brother in-law Tank Baughman.  

Survivors include her children Jacob (Louise) Karlstad of Copenhagen Denmark, Martha (Eric) Karlstad of Viroqua WI, Audrey (Laurie) Karlstad of Oakland CA, Ashley (Anthony) Kimmich of Carlisle, Clifford (Sam) Orr of Carlisle, a son-in-law Brad Hiatt of Carlisle; and her siblings Jeanne (Richard) Lambert of Pittsboro, NC, Susan Baughman of Lynchburg VA, Michael (Deb) Livingston of San Diego CA, many grandchildren, other relatives, and friends.  

Joan graduated from Westmont Hilltop High School in 1965. She received her bachelors and master’s degrees from the University of North Dakota and a doctorate from the University of Indiana. She worked as an English Professor at Western Illinois University and the University of Nebraska – Omaha.

A celebration of Joan’s life will be held at her home; 200 S Ledgerwood St. Carlisle, IN 47838, on Sunday May 22, 2022, from 10:00a.m. until 2:00 p.m. The family welcomes friends to come share stories, food, and refreshments (no alcohol please). Joan will be buried with her husband Bill at Oddfellows Cemetery in Carlisle.  The family suggests that if friends so desire contributions may be made to the Carlisle Oddfellows Cemetery Association, P.O. Box 463, Carlisle, IN 47838  

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