Joan V. Whalen, 80, of Grand Island, Nebraska, died Thursday, September 12, 2013, at her home, surrounded by her family. Services will be Tuesday, September 17, 2013, at 10:00 a.m. at St. Marys Cathedral. The Most Rev. William J. Dendinger will preside. The Rev. Richard L. Piontkowski Jr. will be the celebrant with other priests of the Diocese of Grand Island concelebrating. Burial will be in St. Michaels Catholic Cemetery at Spalding, NE, with a 2:00 p.m. committal service. Visitation will be Monday, September 16, 2013, from 4 7 p.m. at Curran Funeral Chapel, with a vigil service at 7:00 p.m. Curran Funeral Chapel is assisting the family. Joan was born July 13, 1933 at Spalding, Nebraska. She was the daughter of Antone A. and Frances L. (Berberich) Zwiener. Survivors of the immediate family include her husband, James W. Jim Whalen of Grand Island, NE Two daughters and a son-in-law, Jean Ann and Ted Molczyk of Grand Island, NE Julie Whalen and fianc Jim Krause of Denver, CO Two sons and daughters-in-law, Jeffrey and Sarah Whalen of North Platte, NE James E. Jim and Heather Whalen of Lincoln, NE Three sisters and two brothers-in-law, Suzanne Macke of Fullerton, NE Annette and Francis Murphy of Spalding, NE Angela and Charles Scott of Grand Island, NE Three sisters-in-law, Jean Whichter of Wichita, KS Madalin Zwiener of Spalding, NE Patricia Campos of St. Louis, MO Others left to cherish her memory include grandchildren and their spouses, Brandy and Richard Thornton, Lisa and Darrell Detlefsen, Brian Molczyk, Jamie and Stephen Kneeland, Jeremy and Jessica Whalen, Jessica and Jon Hendricks, Caleb and Jacob Whalen. One step granddaughter, Taylor Ann Krause Five great grandchildren, Aspen Thornton, Noah and Eli Kneeland, Josie and Jude Whalen. Joan grew up in Spalding, attending District 14 country school and graduating from Spalding Academy in 1951. She married James W. Whalen on October 13, 1951 at Spalding, NE. They lived in Spalding until 1955 when they moved to Greeley, NE. Besides being a homemaker, Joan assisted with Sacred Heart Schools lunch program. She was an excellent cook and often times catered banquets and receptions for people in the community. She commuted several years to the Cornhusker Army Ammunition Plant working nights on the production line. They moved to Central City in 1974 where Joan co-owned and operated Whalen Sanitation. In 1991 she began working at the Skagway stores in the bakery department and later that year she and Jim moved to Grand Island. She retired in 2010. Joan was a marvelous cook and baker. She liked adapting and improving recipes each time she tried them. She enjoyed collecting and reading cook books. She was known for the birthday cakes she created each year for her grandchildren. She was a member of St. Marys Cathedral, a past member of Business and Professional Women. Memorials are suggested to the familys choice. She was preceded in death by her parents, brothers, Ambrose, Norbert, Richard and a sister, Emily, brothers-in-law and sisters-in-law, Francis Macke, Edward Bud and Delphine Whalen, and Anna Marie Hulick. On line condolences may be given at www.curranfuneralchapel.com under Joans obituary.