PELLA, Iowa – Pella Corp., a leading manufacturer and designer of windows and doors, has announced the passing of Chair Emerita Mary Joan Kuyper Farver early Monday morning. She was 97 years old and she passed peacefully at her home in Pella, Iowa with her family.

“Joan was an inspiration to all who knew her and she was well-known as Pella Corporation’s ‘First Lady.’ She cared deeply about her family, this company, and the communities in which we employ people,” said Tim Yaggi, president and CEO of Pella.  “Joan sincerely cared about people and often took the time to write personal notes or to visit with team members because she took an active interest in others. She was a quiet leader whose philanthropic contributions have made a lasting impact on the community of Pella, Iowa, and many other communities and causes that will leave a lasting legacy for future generations,” added Tim.

A website honoring her memory can be found at www.joankuyperfarver.com. The more than 7,000 employees of Pella Corporation are honoring Joan with moments of silence, prayers and memorial lapel pins festooned with her favorite flower, a yellow rose.

A public memorial service will be held, Saturday, April 22; details and arrangements continue to be finalized.

About Mary Joan Kuyper Farver

Joan was born in Pella, Iowa, on Nov. 17, 1919, to Pete and Lucille Kuyper, who purchased what was then known as the Rolscreen Company in Des Moines, Iowa in 1925. A year later, they moved the business to Pete’s hometown, Pella, Iowa, where the company, now known as Pella Corporation, has remained headquartered ever since.

Joan and her husband, the late Paul Farver, made their home in Pella where they raised three children, Mary, Charlie, and Suzanne, who along with their families, survive. When her brother and company President and CEO, Stu Kuyper died unexpectedly in 1980, Joan capably guided the company as it transitioned from family leadership to professional management leadership, following her father, Pete Kuyper’s death in 1981. Descendants of the Kuyper and Farver families maintain complete ownership of the privately-held company today.

ABOUT PELLA

Founded in 1925 and headquartered in Pella, Iowa, Pella Corp. designs and manufactures made-to-order and custom windows and doors. With 13 manufacturing locations within the United States, Pella Corp. also includes EFCO Corp., a manufacturer of architectural windows, curtain walls, storefronts and entry systems designed for commercial construction needs, Grabill Windows & Doors Inc., designer and manufacturer of custom luxury windows and doors for elite properties and Reilly Windows & Doors, a premier manufacturer of discerning windows and doors for the most exacting builder and architect as well as Duratherm Windows Corp. Recently, Pella Corp. introduced the Pella Crafted Luxury collection of expanded design possibilities.