Mahnke, Joan A. (1943-2017)

MAHNKE, CARMON, HASSETT, DORIO, SHEETS, VANDER LEEST, MAHNKE, KUNZE, SCOTT

Posted By: Paul Nagy (email)
Date: 5/18/2021 at 17:36:22

Joan A. Mahnke
March 17, 1934 - June 27, 2017

Joan Mahnke, age 83, of Storm Lake, Iowa, formerly of Albert City, Iowa, died on Tuesday, June 27, 2017, at the Sanford Medical Center in Sioux Falls, South Dakota.

Joan Audrey Carmon, a daughter of Leon and Gertrude Elizabeth (Hassett) Carmon, was born in Pleasantville, New Jersey, on March 17, 1934. She lived her youth in Pleasantville, graduating from Pleasantville High School in 1952. Throughout her teen years, she tap-danced on Atlantic City’s famed Steel Pier. After completing her schooling, she worked for the Atlantic City Press.

At a USO dance, Joan met the love of her life, Duane Mahnke, while he was serving his country in the US Navy and stationed in Atlantic City, New Jersey. Joan and Duane married on August 30, 1954, in Pleasantville. Their union was, subsequently, blessed with four children: Cindy, Lee, and twin daughters, Donna and Debbie.

Following Duane’s discharge, they moved to Albert City where they farmed and raised their family. After retiring from farming, Duane worked at the Laurens Good Samaritan Nursing Home, and Joan kept very busy as a devoted wife, mother, and homemaker to her family. She, also, developed a special bond with her grandchildren while providing them with daycare. In 2012, Duane and Joan moved to Storm Lake where they had since made their home.

A very active member of Our Savior’s Lutheran Church in Albert City, Joan taught Sunday school for all ages as well as Vacation Bible School. In addition, for many years, she and Duane devotedly sponsored the Luther League. Furthermore, she nurtured her children by serving as a Brownie and Girl Scout leader and becoming an active music booster. Civic minded, Joan belonged to many clubs and organizations including the Happy Hour Club and Mothers of Twins Club. Duane and Joan enjoyed playing 500 in card clubs and spending time together playing slots at the casino. She will be remembered for having baked and decorated many a cake as well as for having read a great deal. Moreover, Joan delighted in grandchildren, and she enjoyed taking them to Cutty’s of Okoboji and spending time with them as a family.

Joan’s life and memory is cherished, loved, and celebrated by her family which includes her husband, Duane, of Storm Lake, Iowa; her children: Donna Dorio, of Port St. Lucie, Florida, Debbie (Dick) Sheets, of Panora, Iowa, Cindy (Scott) Vander Leest, of Watertown, South Dakota, and Lee (Rachel) Mahnke, of Cascade, Colorado; her grandchildren: Jamie (Eric) Kunze, of Panora, Iowa, Mitchell Sheets, of Panora, Iowa, Ryan Vander Leest, of Brookings, South Dakota, Allison Vander Leest, of Watertown, South Dakota; Ashley (Joe Williams) Vander Leest, of Watertown, South Dakota, Danielle Scott, of Denver, Colorado; and two adopted grandchildren: Amber and Aaron Mahnke, both of Cascade, Colorado; and her great grandchildren: Tate and Taylor Kunze; Charlyee Williams; and Autumn and Gavin Sheets; as well as by other extended family members and many friends. She was preceded in death by her parents and one brother, Ronald, in infancy.

Memorial services will be held Friday, June 30, 2017, at 7:00 p.m. at Our Savior's Lutheran Church in Albert City. The Sliefert Funeral Home in Albert City is overseeing the arrangements.

Sliefert Funeral Homes, Albert City, Iowa, 2017.

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