Joan C. Dongarra, age 86, of Janesville, passed away early Thursday, January 4, 2018. She was born July 27, 1931 in Janesville, the daughter of the late Richard and Helen (Young) Affeldt. She attended school in Janesville, and graduated from Janesville High School, Class of 1949. She won the Dr. Cook Scholarship, and then attended and graduated from the Mercy Hospital School of Nursing in 1952. After becoming a Registered Nurse, she embarked on a long career in health care. She worked as an RN, Supervisor, and Director of Nursing at several medical facilities, and then was certified in Nursing Home Administration. Joan worked as the Administrator at several nursing homes in the Milwaukee area, also at the Homestead Nursing Home here in Janesville. Joan was on the Wisconsin Nursing Home Examiners Board, which was a Governor-appointed position. She was hired by national corporations to update buildings with state codes, improve patient care, and helped to re-write nursing home policies. She mentored many in the medical field. She became a nursing home consultant, and was given the Southeast Division of the United States, besides at one time covering the entire state of California. She was married to Albin “Bino” Dongarra in 1952 at St. Patrick’s Catholic Church. Joan’s life centered on her career in Nursing and Administration, and on her family. She was a very devoted and loving mother, grandmother, great-grandmother, and friend. Joan was a longtime member of St. Patrick’s Catholic Church. She is survived by her six children; her 14 grandchildren; her four great-grandchildren; a brother; and by nieces, nephews, and friends. Besides her parents, she was preceded in death by her former husband, Albin Dongarra, her brothers, Richard Affeldt and William Affeldt, and a sister, Peggy Affeldt. Burial in Mt. Olivet Cemetery. Whitcomb-Lynch Funeral Home.