Joan Gethmann

Joan Gethmann, 81 of Marshalltown, Iowa passed away peacefully on Monday, April 11, 2016 at Iowa River Hospice House. Memorial service and celebration of life for Jo will be at 2:00 pm on Monday, April 25, at Mitchell Family Funeral Home in Marshalltown, Iowa. Memorial contributions may be directed in Joans name to her family to be designated at a later date. For further information or to send a condolence, please visit www.mitchellfh.com or call (641) 844-1234. Joan was born in Laurens, Iowa on April 25, 1934 to John and Christina Reimers. Joan graduated from Laurens High School then earned her teaching degree at Buena Vista College in Storm Lake, Iowa. Joan was an elementary school teacher in Fertile, Iowa. Joan married the love of her life, Jack Gethmann on June 22, 1958. Joan and Jack lived in Ames while Jack attended Iowa State University. Joan worked for Bourns Laboratories in pilot production and development. They later resided in Gladbrook and Marshalltown, Iowa working together in the family businesses. Joan was a member of the First United Methodist Church. She was a volunteer of the Marshalltown Hospital Auxiliary, Marshalltown Schools, Girl Scouts, Masonic Lodge, Shriners Childrens Hospitals, and Za-Ga-Zig Shrine Auxiliary. Joan was an avid gardener and animal lover. Often referred to as Fix It Jo, her mechanical inclination made her the go-to mechanic for the neighborhood children repairing bicycles, go-carts, and vehicles. Joan was an accomplished seamstress teaching many others the craft as well. Joan and Jack enjoyed extensive traveling and supporting Iowa State University athletics. Joans greatest joy was time spent with her family. Joan is survived by her husband Jack, daughters Julie (Royce Diveley) Gethmann, and Jill (John) Craft, son Jeff (Kim Lenger) Gethmann, Hans Quast, her grandchildren and great grandchildren: Dustin Iverson, Kelli (Michael) Waldorf and Owen, Megan Gethmann, Blake, Brody and Brooke Gethmann, Leo Lightbourne and Kayden, Katie and Ben Lenger, her siblings, Helen Caskey of Laurens, Hazel Lampe of North Hollywood, California, and John (Mary) Reimers of Cape Fair, Missouri, and many loved nieces and nephew. Joan was preceded in death by her parents, older brother Roger Reimers and her special niece, Rose Brown.