Joan Kaiser

Joan Kaiser

April 1, 1935 – February 25, 2026

Joan Kaiser, born April 1, 1935, passed away on February 25, 2026. She leaves behind a legacy of life, light, love, and unwavering faith in our Father God and our Lord Jesus Christ.

Joan left us a very special pattern of loving the Lord and loving His people, His church, which is “the fullness of the One who fills all in all” (Eph. 1:22-23). Many people, literally from around the globe, received much help through her life, full of genuine loving care and uncommon accessibility. She carried herself with the dignity of a queen and the humility of a handmaiden. Even later in life, when her thoughts were dimmed and her words could no longer be formed, she always retained an infectious smile that would light up the whole atmosphere and fill everyone present with joy, hope, and faith. We knew that she was aware that she was in the arms of Jesus and of His many members.

A poem written by her daughter, Brenda Woodmass, expresses Brenda’s deep love and appreciation to her mother. Although these feelings are unique to Brenda, many are also expressed by others of her family and by Joan’s many friends, fellow believers, and acquaintances. So we include the poem here.

Mum–Woven in Love

Mum, you loved us before we were born

Mum, you embraced us in your arms

Mum, you knitted peace and harmony in our home

Mum, you sewed and clothed us with the very fabric of your being with so much love

Mum, you cooked and supplied us with delicious meals

Mum, you cared for us and sheltered us from storms

Mum, you gave your life to the Lord, you prayed, you read your Bible

Mum, you loved and cared for everyone you met

Mum, you gave us God Whom you loved and worshipped

Mum, you cared for me and held my hand when I was young

Mum, you embraced me with your love

Mum, your hugs kept me going

Now it is my turn to love you, to care for you, and hold your hand, to hug you.

To sing and call on the Lord together as we walk around our home.

Mum, every time you saw me, your face would light up with a big, beautiful smile.

Mum, in our last hug, you pulled me tightly into you, and I knew that you knew me!

We also feel to share the thoughts of Joan’s granddaughter, Natalie Kope, who wrote the following tribute to her grandmother.

Love From Natalie

Yesterday, we lost the beautiful life of my grandma, aka Bamma – a woman who was truly full of life, full of love, and deeply devoted to the Lord. Her faith was unwavering, and she carried herself with so much joy, dignity, and grace.

She taught us how to pray, how to trust God in all seasons, and how to love others with a full heart.

Her laughter could fill any room, and her prayers covered our family every single day. She was a constant source of strength, wisdom, and comfort. So much of whom we are today is because of the love she poured into us.

While our hearts are heavy and it’s hard to say goodbye, we find peace knowing she is resting in the arms of Jesus.

Thank you, Grandma, for your endless love, your steadfast faith, and the legacy you leave behind. You will forever be missed and always cherished.

I will treasure all the time we spent together and the memories we made! You were the best grandma and great-grandma!

More about Joan Kaiser

In 1957, Joan married Allan Salamonson. Within five years, they brought forth four children–Stephen, Brenda, John, and Ian. She loved them all dearly and cared for them faithfully. But because of the actions of some of the teens in those years, she was deeply troubled concerning her children’s survival. As a result of this preoccupation, Joan opened her heart to God and was joined in faith to her dear Lord Jesus. She quickly became a lover of the Bible, the Word of God, and formed a firm habit of daily spending time with her Lord reading the Bible and praying.

Allan developed cancer and passed away in 1983. After a few years of working, Joan began to be daily involved in helping to cook and serve the trainees at the training center in Hamilton, New Zealand. Because of her service there, some leading brothers who were caring for the development of a student center in Berkeley, California, invited Joan to come and serve in cooking and shepherding the students. She agreed to come in 1991.

Sovereignly, through her serving in Berkeley, Joan met Gary Kaiser. Eventually, at the end of 1992, December 5, they were wed. This marriage turned out to be a fulfillment of a remark that Joan’s son, Steve, had earlier made to his mother when she asked him how he felt about her moving to Berkeley. Steve suggested that she should go and become a “globe trotting grandma.”

So Joan joined Gary in his regular visits to shepherd churches in Central America, South America, and Vietnam, as well as occasional visits to churches in Korea, the Philipines, New Zealand, Russia, and others for Bible conferences and/or to share classes with trainees in many training centers. Joan had many adventures in those various venues–some glorious, others stressful, and some mildly embarrassing, but all blessed by the Lord for the building up of His churches and the continued edification of many brothers and sisters touched by Joan’s living and sharing.

We believe that our dear sister, Joan, is one of those for whom a crown of righteousness has been laid up as spoken of by the Apostle Paul in his epistle to Timothy :

“Henceforth there is laid up for me the crown of righteousness, with which the Lord, the righteous Judge, will recompense me in that day, and not only me but also all those who have loved His appearing” (2 Tim. 4:8).

Joan Kaiser is survived by her husband Gary Kaiser, her children Steve and Yenna Salamonson (Aaron and Amy), Brenda and Neil Woodmass (Natalie and Joel), John and Jean Salamonson (Ashley, Caleb, Zachary, Gary, Joan), Ian and Patti Salamonson (Isaac and Isaiah), Alaire Wells, Elizabeth Prichard, Mike and Jolyne Kaiser and eleven great-grand children.

Memorial Meeting Details

Sunday, March 8, 2026 at 3:00 pm

Fremont Springs Conference Center

47655 Warm Springs Boulevard

Fremont, CA. 94539.

Zoom Live Stream

https://www.norcalchurches.org/sister-joan-kaiser-memorial-service/