Joan Miller Crenshaw

Joan Alyce Miller Crenshaw was born January 27, 1953, in Wells, Minnesota.  Joan’s early years were spent on family farms near Wells and Alden, Minnesota.

In 1959, the Miller family opened a meat processing plant in Thompson, Iowa. Joan learned early the value of teamwork, honesty, and integrity working in the family business.  She started working alongside her parents and sister at the age of six and once her sister went away to college, she was paid a nominal wage.  Her parents didn’t pay more than one child at a time.

Joan started first grade in the Thompson Community Schools and graduated with 30 others in the class of 1971. She attended Morningside College in Sioux City, Iowa, and later transferred to Iowa State University, earning a degree in Industrial Administration in 1974.

In 1975, Joan was among an early group of women hired by the Comptroller of the Currency to be National Bank Examiners.  Joan’s future husband Joe was also in this class of hires with the OCC.  They married in May 1979.

The Crenshaws relocated to the St. Louis area in 1981, settling in St. Charles in 1984.   Joan continued to work in bank regulatory compliance. After their children were born, Joan formed her own consulting firm, J. M. Crenshaw & Associates.  Her small group of clients understood the associates were the kids and she worked around her family’s schedule.  Eventually the Crenshaws were part of an organizing group that chartered New Frontier Bank.

In 2012 Joan went to work for BKD LLP as a regulatory compliance consultant, retiring as a Director for the firm in 2019.

Joan was a longtime member of St. Charles First United Methodist Church.  She worked in a variety of servant roles including Chairman of the Administrative Board, Sunday School teacher, etc.  She was most proud of the Serve 2012 initiative where virtually the entire congregation participated in a day of service throughout the St. Charles and St. Louis communities.  For the past 8 years she has coordinated the Mount Carmel ministry.

Through the years Joan was active in her children’s school activities at the Academy of the Sacred Heart and St. Charles West.  She served as Treasurer of the Mosaics Art Festival and served on the Chrysalis Board for many years.

Joan’s family has always been her greatest accomplishment and joy. Family dinners, trips, weekends with her kids and grandsons have provided wonderful memories.

Joan’s faith statement – May 2011

I was raised in a church going family.  For as long as I can remember, I was told and believed that Jesus loved me.  He loved everyone.  I accepted this as a child accepts things.

But when I was about 40, I realized God loves me.  He loves Joan.  I always accepted that Jesus died for our sins.  But I realized that Jesus died for my sins.

Now I have an ongoing relationship with God.  Instead of talking to myself, I talk to God.

I am a Methodist because we believe in social action, the power of prayer and reliance on the scriptures, reason, experience and tradition. We practice open Communion.  All are invited to the table just as all are invited to the Kingdom.

Joan is survived by her beloved children Jackie (Nick) Bode, Meredith Crenshaw, Danny Crenshaw, grandsons Clayton and Tucker Bode, sister Dianne (Arlo) Stoltenberg and her daughters Dr.  Heidi (Phil Hanson) Stoltenberg and Karin (Casey) Tidgewell, David & Susie Ziegenhorn and children, Carolyn Fitch and numerous cousins, nieces and nephews.

Joan was preceded in death by her parents Clifford Miller and Dorothy Thevenin Miller Balder.

In lieu of flowers, donations may be made in Joan’s honor to First St. Charles (United Methodist) or Volunteers in Medicine (St. Charles)