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IN LOVING MEMORY OF

Joann Lorraine

Joann Lorraine Dean Profile Photo

Dean

July 12, 1931 – November 24, 2015

Obituary

Joann Lorraine (McClusky) Dean, devoted wife, loving mother, proud grandmother, and caring great grandmother.


Joann Lorraine (McCluskey) Dean, the daughter of Edwin and Pearl (Norton) McCluskey was born July 12, 1931 in Griswold, Iowa. She died November 24, 2015 at her home in Griswold, Iowa surrounded by her family and friends. She had attained the age of 84 years, 4 months, and 12 days.


Joann lived nearly her whole life in Griswold. She graduated from Griswold High School with the class of 1949. After high school, she went to Anchorage, Alaska, where her father worked for the Air Force. Joann worked at Elmendorf Air Force Base. She embraced the Native culture, collecting scrimshaw (Inuit ivory carvings), dogsledding, and fishing.


Joann departed Alaska in November of 1949, and was reunited with Robert, the love of her life and soulmate, in San Francisco. They traveled to Griswold and were married on November 22, 1949. Robert and Joann were subsequently stationed at Aberdeen Proving Ground, Maryland, Fort Knox, Kentucky, and then Fort Campbell, Kentucky. In August of 1950, Robert was deployed to Korea during the war, while Joann returned to Griswold. After Robert's homecoming, they were stationed at Fort Sheridan, Illinois, followed by Fort Leonard Wood, Missouri. They were finally able to return to Griswold to establish their family.


Joann worked at the Highway Café, Neighbors nursing home, the American Legion, and the Griswold Care Center. After her employment, she continued to volunteer at the Care Center, helping with Bingo and other activities to entertain the residents.


Joann had a very giving nature. A regular at local blood drives; she donated 106 pints of blood. When she was no longer able to donate, she continued to volunteer at blood drives. She was an over 30 year member of the American Legion Auxiliary. She remained active as long as she was able to.


Joann loved gardening and canning her vegetables. She kept her family and friends in fresh and preserved bounty year round. Indoors, she raised a variety of flowers, but she was particularly proud of her African Violets.


Together with Robert, they raised three children: Alan of Chicago, IL, Edwin of Griswold, IA, and Ann Dean-Hash of Springtown, TX.


Joann loved to travel. She and Bob visited Cancun, and Cozumel in Mexico. The Caribbean was a destination she truly enjoyed; Curacao in the Dutch Indies, St. Lucia, Turks, and Caicos, and Antigua. During their trip to Antiqua, when Bob suffered a major medical event, she was the rock that kept the family strong. In later years, she and Bob traveled to Arizona, where they saw several Cubs spring training games, and the sunrise at the Grand Canyon. This was fitting as she brought light to so many lives.


Last year's vacation was a road trip to South Dakota, where she marveled at the Corn Palace, and delighted in Mount Rushmore, Custer Park, and the Crazy Horse Memorial. She was inspired by the Devils Tower in Wyoming. On the trip home, Joann was amused when in Sturgis, SD Bob compared tattoos with a waitress at the Knuckle Bar. Joann also enjoyed campfires at the Fish Farm with Ed and visiting Ann in Texas.


Joann enjoyed teaching her grandchildren to cook, and they loved her stories. They delighted in her down home spirit and sense of humor, and referred to her as being sassy, the highest compliment they could pay. Her strength and tenacity are legendary in family lore.


Joann was preceded in death by her parents.


She is survived by her sweetheart and dearest husband, Robert; her sister Thelma of Lubbock, TX; her children: Alan Dean and wife Joanne, Edwin Dean, and Ann Dean-Hash and husband Jackie; her grandchildren: Kristina and husband Richard, Atalissa, Alana, Richard, Brandon, Randy, and Kendall; her great grandchildren: Kayla, Dean, Aiden, Emily, Madison, Ethan, and Landry. Joann will be missed by all who loved and knew her.


Mass of Christian burial will be held on Saturday, November 28, 2015 at 11:00 AM at the Our Lady of Grace Catholic Church in Griswold. Visitation with the family will be held one hour prior to the service at the church. An open visitation will be held at the Duhn Funeral Home in Griswold on Friday. Interment will be in Pleasant Township Cemetery, south of Griswold. Duhn Funeral Home in Griswold is in charge of arrangements.
To order memorial trees or send flowers to the family in memory of Joann Lorraine Dean, please visit our flower store.

Funeral Services

Mass of Christian Burial

November
28

Our Lady of Grace Catholic Church

203 Adair Street, Griswold, IA 51535

Starts at 11:00 am

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