Joann Kay Schwartzhoff

Joann K. Schwartzhoff, 61, of Dorchester, IA, entered into eternal life following a brief, courageous battle with cancer on Saturday, April 12, 2014, at Mayo Clinic Health System in La Crosse, WI. Funeral services will be held Wednesday, April 16th, at 11:00 am at St. Mary's Catholic Church in Dorchester, IA, with Fr. Jim Dubert officiating. Burial will be at St. Mary's Cemetery, Dorchester. Friends may call from 3:00 pm - 8:00 pm Tuesday at Martin Funeral Home in Waukon, where there will be a 2:45 pm scripture service, visitation will also be one hour before services at the church on Wednesday. In lieu of flowers memorials are preferred.

Joann Kay Schwartzhoff was born November 2, 1952, in Waukon, IA, the daughter of Floyd and Florence (Wild) Waters. She was baptized and confirmed at St. Joseph's Catholic Church in New Albin, IA. Joann attended elementary schools in the Dorchester area and attended Waukon High School. On November 23, 1968, she married James Schwartzhoff at St. Joseph's Catholic Church in New Albin. Joann and Jim farmed together in Waterloo Township in rural Dorchester, where they had a dairy herd and raised crops. Joann took great pride in raising the calves. She worked part time at the Waukon sale barn and has been a receptionist at Veterans Memorial Hospital in Waukon since 2004.

Joann was a member of St. Mary's Dorchester Catholic Church, where she was active in its Rosary Society and was serving as the current president. She was also a member of Patterson Creek Social Club. Joann enjoyed quilting, riding horses, playing Frisbee with her dogs, working in her flower gardens, spending time with her family and attending her children's sporting events. She and Jim built a new home in 2009, which she helped design and loved giving tours to her family and friends.

Survivors include her husband of 45 years, Jim of Dorchester; her children: Tim (Michelle) of Dorchester, Jill (Darryl) Sharon of Eitzen, MN, Rhonda (Brian) Bauer of Rushford, MN, Reggie (Brandi Meyer) of Eitzen, MN, Ryan (Brooke) of New Albin, and Renee (Rob) Stokman of Eitzen, MN; 13 grandchildren: Bret (Jackie) Heffernan, Carson and Conner Schwartzhoff, Jenna, Brady and Rachel Rosendahl, Jake, Jess, Jayson, Cambria and Caitlin Bauer, Kaylee and Rylan Stokman, and Ryan and Brooke's baby due May 24th; one great-grandson Christian Heffernan; four brothers: Jim (Dorothy) Waters, Harold (Carol) Waters, Tom (Mary Jo Nordheim) Waters, and Ray (Jess McCallson) Waters; three sisters: Mary (Rodney) Fink, Kate (Tony) Urell and Jean (John) Gavin; two brothers-in-law: Don Schwartzhoff and Jim (Karen) McCormick; eight sisters-in-law: Mary Ward, Aileen (Pat) Delaney, Carol (Bill) Hancock, Judy (Dennis) Byrnes, Mavis Wishcop, Ramona (Gary) Ward, Karen (Dave Gross) Palmer and Kathy (Dean) McClenathan; and many nieces and nephews. She is preceded in death by her parents; an infant brother Timothy Waters; her father and mother-in-law Emmet and Lillian Schwartzhoff; four sisters-in-law: Theresa McCormick, Dorie Bulman, Shirley and Vee Schwartzhoff; and three brothers-in-law: Duane Anderson, Donald Ward, and Kenny Hammel.

Honorary casketbearers are Joann's Grandchildren. Casketbearers are Steve, Mark, and Pat Schwartzhoff, Dale, and Ed Urell, Shane Gavin, Greg, and Jeff Byrnes.