Celebrating the life of Joan Finkenbinder LaRue Joan Marron LaRue, a celebrated impressionist painter and a pillar of the Oklahoma arts community, passed away in late January 2026 at the age of 91.

Born Joan Finkenbinder in 1934 on the Finkenbinder Farm north of Thomas, Oklahoma, where her deep connection to the land began.

She attended Independence school through the sixth grade before moving to Weatherford and then Clinton where she graduated high school. After earning a fashion-arts degree from the University of Oklahoma in 1956, she eventually transitioned into fine art, becoming renowned for her vibrant pleinair landscapes, florals, and murals.

Her artistic legacy is physically woven into the state; she painted two significant murals for the Oklahoma State Senate at the State Capitol in 1985 and contributed works to the Mercy Health Center in Oklahoma City. An early member and mentor for American Women Artists (AWA), she was known for encouraging fellow artists to keep their “gates open” to the world.

Beyond Oklahoma, her travels took her to places like Russia, Nepal, Spain and Italy, yet her heart often returned to the light of the American West.

In 1995, Joan married her Clinton High sweetheart and “love of her life,” Bob LaRue. Bob passed just 13 days before Joan. Their love story continues in heaven and forever. Joy of living, humor, beautiful art, painting by Joan, woodwork by Bob and a little music with grandkids on her old accordian rounded out their last loving years. She is survived by sister Kaye Finkenbinder Blaylock, brother Don Carl Finkenbinder and his wife Verna Finkenbinder.