Joan Arndt

Joan Tibado Arndt, 91

Joan Tibado Arndt, 91, of Lake Wales passed away Friday, December 27, 2024 at Water’s Edge Memory Care surrounded by her family and friends.

She was born April 22, 1933 at her family home in Lake Wales to the late Clarence H. Tibado and Gertrude R. Hoffmann Tibado. Joan grew up in Lake Wales where her family owned the first grocery store, Tibado City Gas Company (a full-service gas station), and LP Gas service. She was raised in a household that always helped those in the community by providing food and shelter for those in need.

Joan was raised in the Catholic Church but enjoyed attending other churches with her children. Her walk with Christ was profound and blessed her throughout her life. Several significant life-threatening circumstances she encountered were visibly miraculous testaments of God’s intervening provisions.

During her life she enjoyed listening to music, dancing, roller skating, watching movies at the State Theatre, bowling, swimming, boating, going to the beaches, riding horses, and exploring around Lake Wales with her brothers and sisters.

Joan attended Lake Wales High School and graduated in 1952.  Additional activities she enjoyed were cheerleading the sports teams, drama classes, and participating in the “Home-Coming Court”. After graduating she worked as a secretary with one of the local downtown businesses.

In 1955 she met Harold O. Polson at Sundown Restaurant in Winter Haven during his Air Force Pilot Training at Bartow Military Air Base. After Harold’s graduation they were married at the Bartow Air Base Chapel. As his wife, Joan began her military journey by his side traveling to many other locations throughout the U.S.A. as well as in Thailand. During her life she was involved with serving in the family businesses, serving in Cosmetology, and serving as a paraprofessional teacher at Ridge Vo-Tech School in Winter Haven. She continued her outdoor ventures gardening in her yards. Joan’s greatest passion in life was cooking fabulous meals that would bring everyone together at the table. She loved taking care of her husbands, her children, and her grandchildren. During her later years she was extra blessed to enjoy spending time with her great-grandchildren.

Joan was preceded in death by retired LTC Egon J. Arndt; retired Major Harold O. Polson, the father of her children; and seven brothers and sisters. She is survived by her daughters, Tina Polson Huston and husband Dave of Winter Haven and Marcia Polson Monahan of Lake Wales; grandchildren, Lauren Huston, Brandon Huston, Megan Monahan, and Sean Monahan and wife Heather; and great-grandchildren, Asher Huston, Delaney Monahan, and Delilah Monahan.

Throughout Joan’s time spent on earth she lived her “DASH” loving others and spending time helping and serving others.

During her life she made a significant difference in the lives of others. Joan’s last six years were especially painful and difficult for her as the Alzheimer’s Disease progressed. Our family is eternally grateful for the love, care, and sacrifices she gave to us by choosing life. God has blessed us with countless memories of time spent together. We will always be able to treasure these memories as we remember Joan as our mother, grandmother, Gigi, and friend.

A graveside service will be held Thursday, May 8, 2025 at Arlington National Cemetery. Our mom requested to not have a memorial service gathering. In lieu of flowers, memorial donations in her honor can be sent to the Lake Wales Care Center (www.lakewalescarecenter.com), the Tunnel to Towers Foundation (www.t2t.org), or the Alzheimer’s Association (www.alz.org).