On June 3rd, 2025 Joan, Mom, “Mamoo” Wallen went home to be with the Lord. She passed away peacefully at the age of 76, with her family by her bedside.
Joan was born to John and Helen Kleiber in Modesto, CA. Soon she would be the oldest of four children. Ceres would be her hometown, where the family lived on a 20 acre farm. Joan loved the country and all that came with it, the cows, dogs, cats, chickens and goats. She kept up with her brothers, and sister always enjoyed exploring on the farm. Soon she started school at Central Elementary, then Chatom Elementary and finally graduating from Turlock High School class of 1966. Throughout school Joan participated in track and field, was a member of the Future Homemakers of America, and very active in Mitchell Community Church and it was here that she accepted the Jesus Christ as her lord and savior.
It was at a church Halloween party that she met her future husband Billy Wallen. They soon were married on June 9, 1967 and were together for 45 years. Billy and Joan eventually moved to Turlock and quickly started their own family. In 1970 Ellen Pauline blessed the Wallen house, followed by Gregory Allen in 1974. Being a mother was Joan’s true calling, she dedicated her life to her family. Her love for them was limitless.
You could find Joan being a room mom, baking cookies and making Kool-Aid for the neighborhood kids. Joan was also an avid seamstress and quilter, and sewed many outfits for both her children and others. Joan always showed unconditional love for her family no matter what!
After the kids started school, Joan went to work. First at the Turlock High School cafeteria. Then she moved on to the Medic Alert Foundation and finally to IEC Marketing. Joan enjoyed working at each of these places, and brought with her a hard work ethic, and the love of helping people. Joan will be dearly missed by all family and friends.
Joan leaves behind her children Greg (Melissa) Wallen and Ellen (David) O’ Brien; grandchildren Rebekah Sarment, Anthony Sarment and Nathan Wallen; great grandchildren Kolton and Ashton; siblings John (Linda) Kleiber, Chuck (Elise) Kleiber and Margaret (Dan) Ely and numerous nieces and nephews. She was preceded in death by her husband Billy Wallen, and parents John and Helen Kleiber.
Viewing will be held at Allen Mortuary on Monday June 16th from 5 P.M. to 7 P.M.
Funeral service will also be held at Allen Mortuary with internment to follow at Turlock Memorial Park on Tues June 17th @ 10 A.M.
The family wishes to express their gratitude to Golden Age Living and Seva Hospice for the excellent care and attention they provided to Joan.
Memorial contributions can be made in Joan’s memory to St. Jude Children’s Hospital or Alzheimer/Dementia Support Center of Modesto CA.
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