JoAnn Sue Funk, 94, of Winthrop, IA, died Sunday afternoon, April 14, 2024, at Prairie Hills Assisted Living in Independence, IA.
JoAnn Sue Rose was born in Sterling, IL, on December 1, 1929, the youngest of six children of Alvin and Rachael (Moutray) Rose. She graduated from Morrison High School in 1947. On September 18, 1949, she was married to Melvin Funk in Morrison, IL. Melvin was a life-long dairy farmer, and they farmed near Dunkerton, IA, until 1965. They then purchased and lived on a dairy farm near Winthrop. Melvin passed away in 2012, and JoAnn continued to live at the farm until 2019, when she moved to Prairie Hills.
JoAnn took great pride in being a farm wife and raising their six children. She was a 4-H leader for many years and enjoyed watching her kids show their Ayrshire and Holstein cattle at local, State, and National shows. JoAnn was an active member of the Church of Christ United in Winthrop throughout her life. She was a proud member of the church’s Bell Choir and edited the church newsletter “The Son Shine Flyer” for many years. JoAnn was also greatly involved with King’s Daughters. She always kept busy on the farm, whether it was mowing lawn or weaving rugs, one of her many hobbies. In later years she took up genealogy and prepared detailed family history books for the family.
JoAnn is survived by her children: Daryl (Carol) Funk of Coralville, IA, Dallis (Rena) Funk of Milford, IL, Dennis (Tom Sanew) Funk of Sun Prairie, WI, Deanna (Keith) Weber of Cedar Falls, IA, Duan (Jenny) Funk of Winthrop, and Devan (Susan) Funk of DeForest, WI; 15 grandchildren; 13 great-grandchildren.
She was preceded in death by her husband, Melvin; parents; siblings, June Pilgrim, Jane Ward, Jim Rose, Joy McGarvey, and Jeanne Anderson.
The family wishes to thank Prairie Hills Assisted Living and Cedar Valley Hospice for the excellent and compassionate care given to JoAnn, during her final days.
In lieu of flowers, memorials can be made to the Church of Christ United in Winthrop, IA, or the German Burial Ground Association, in care of Gloria Clough, 218 N. Raymond Road, Waterloo, IA, 50703.
Funeral Service: 3:00 p.m., Saturday, April 20, 2024, at the Church of Christ United, Winthrop, IA, with Pastor Vicki Englemann officiating.
Visitation: 4:00 to 7:00 p.m., Friday, April 19, 2024, at Fawcett-Schmitz Funeral Home in Winthrop, IA, and at the church, for one hour before the service on Saturday, April 20.
Inurnment: Will take place at a later date in German Burial Ground, Bennington Township, near Denver, IA.