Davis, JoAnn M. (South) 1934 - 2021

DAVIS, SOUTH, COWMAN, HECKROTH, LAWLER, FRETHEIM, SNOW, ROOZEN

Posted By: Joy Moore (email)
Date: 5/19/2024 at 21:00:44

JoAnn M. Davis, 87, of Decorah, IA, peacefully passed away Sunday, February 21, 2021 at Barthell Eastern Star Nursing Home in Decorah, IA.

Private family service will be held at Saint Benedict Catholic Church on Saturday, February 27 with Rev. Donald Hertges officiating. Burial will be in St. Benedict Cemetery.

JoAnn was born February 15, 1934 in Meckling, SD. The daughter of Willard and Mildred (Cowman) South. She graduated from Gayville High School in 1952 and attended Mount Marty Nursing School in Yankton where she received her R.N. degree. JoAnn worked as a nurse in Minneapolis and Denver Hospitals and worked at St. Joseph Hospital in Sioux City. While working in Sioux City, she met Bob. They were married on December 26, 1959. While they lived in Sioux City, they had two children Kathryn and Patrick. Shortly after, they moved to Ames as Bob received a position with Iowa Department of Transportation. While in Ames, they had another daughter Julie and JoAnn worked at Mary Greeley Hospital. The family then moved to Mason City when Bob was transferred to a new position and JoAnn worked at the Saint Joseph Mercy Hospital. Bob was promoted to a position of Maintenance Engineer for NorthEast Iowa and the family settled in Decorah.

In Decorah, they had two more children Kerry and Christopher. While managing a household of five children, JoAnn also worked as a part-time nurse at Luther College Health Service. She enjoyed working with the college students and faculty at Luther for many years.

JoAnn was a talented seamstress and enjoyed making crafts to sell at craft fairs in Decorah. She was especially known for her unique Norwegian gnomes that she called “her little men". JoAnn also enjoyed gardening. She was a flower expert, could grow anything, and spent many hours tending to her garden. JoAnn also liked to shop with her girls and have coffee with the retired nurses. JoAnn loved traveling and family vacations. She developed a Camp G-Jo for her grandchildren in the summer where they went on many adventures. JoAnn was an amazing mother who would do anything for her family. She even planned three weddings for her daughters within one year. She had a heart of gold and made everyone in her family feel special. She always dropped everything when her children called to lend a helping hand.

JoAnn is survived by her husband Robert and her five children: Kathryn (Kendall) Heckroth of Dysart, IA, Patrick (Michelle) Davis of Decorah, Julie (Lon) Lawler of Osage, IA, Kerry (Daniel) Fretheim of Decorah, and Christopher (Amy) Davis of Rochester, MN.

Grandchildren: Andrew Heckroth, Erin Heckroth, Thomas Davis, Robbie Davis, Jeremiah Davis, Nolan Lawler, Evan Lawler, Parker Fretheim, Emma Fretheim, Nate Davis, and Ben Davis.

Great-grandchild: Luna Lawler

Siblings: Koreen ‘Dot’ (Kenny) Snow of Gayville, SD, Bob (Darlene dec.) South of Sioux Falls, SD, Carol Sue (Merance dec.) Roozen of Gayville, SD.

In lieu of flowers, memorials should be given to Decorah Public Library, 202 Winnebago Street, Decorah, IA 52101 or Decorah Community Food Pantry, P.O. Box 26, Decorah, IA 52101.

She was preceded in death by her parents Willard and Mildred South, Brother-in-law Merance Roozen, and Sister-in-law Darlene South.

Source: Fjelstul Funeral Home database

St. Benedict Cemetery
 

Winneshiek Obituaries maintained by Jeff Getchell.
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