Joan Niebergall

Mary “Joan” Niebergall peacefully passed into the arms of the Lord on August 11, 2025 at the age of 95 years.

Joan was born in Seattle, Washington on February 27th, 1930. One of three children and daughter of a teacher and homemaker, Joan enjoyed life growing up near Alki Beach in Seattle. She attended West Seattle High School and then Central Washington University where she met the man of her dreams, Albert "Bud" Niebergall.

Bud and Joan originally settled in Burlington, Washington, then moved to Seattle when Bud entered the University of Washington Audiology program. In 1968 they moved their family of eight to Fircrest, Washington and on Thanksgiving Day 1969 welcomed their seventh child.

A faithful and loving wife, mother, grandma, and friend, Joan enjoyed homemaking, sewing, and Bible study groups with her beloved church family. She was an avid gardener, and found deep joy in “bringing things to life” and nurturing growth with dedication and fervor, likening this process to the Lord’s influence on her own life.

Joan’s beloved husband Bud was called home to the Lord in January 2018, and she leaves behind seven adult children, Rebecca “Becky” Bishop (Todd), Teresa Colito (Sam), Phil (Robin), Pat, Anne, Jennifer, and Jamie. She was overjoyed to welcome 21 grandchildren and 30 great grandchildren into the family, and would never forget a birthday.

Joan lived a full, joy-filled life dedicated to the Lord, her husband, family and community. She will be dearly missed, but we are comforted by the thought of her joining her beloved Bud and family gone before her in Heaven, where “He will wipe every tear from their eyes, and there shall be no more death or mourning, wailing or pain…” (Revelation: 21:4)

An excerpt from one of Joan’s favorite songs:

…”They cut Me down and I leapt up high; 
I am the Life that'll never, never die. 
I'll live in you if you'll live in Me: 
I am the Lord of the dance, said He…

Dance, then, wherever you may be,
I am the Lord of the dance, said He, 
And I'll lead you all, wherever you may be, 
And I'll lead you all in the dance, said He.”

The Niebergall family extends deep gratitude to the dedicated caregivers who so lovingly cared for mom and brought comfort and peace in her final days: Lindsey, Cheryl, Sasha, and Lisa…we pray you will be richly blessed for your selfless acts of kindness and love. We are forever grateful.

The Niebergalls welcome friends and family to attend the following services to celebrate Joan’s life:

Rosary Service at Gaffney Funeral Home, Tacoma: August 25, 2025 at 6:00 p.m.  Funeral Mass at St. Charles Borromeo Church, Tacoma: August 26th, 2025 at 11:00 a.m.  Burial ceremony will be at Calvary Cemetery in Lakewood, Washington.

Thank you in advance for considering a donation to Joan’s home parish of St. Charles Borromeo, 7112 South 12th Street, Tacoma, WA 98465.