"Jo Ann was a neighbor that lived next farm North of me when I was growing up. One of my fondest memories was of she and her sister, playing guitar and singing. Both Darrell and she went to country school with me until it burned down. Darrell lived in the next farm West of ours. He used to help me into my snowsuit when I was little, at the country school which sat across the road from our house. Our Dads used to help each other on the farms with haying and thrashing. Those were good memories. I have not lived back in Iowa for many years but I often think of all the old times we had together on the farm. "
In loving memory of
Jo Ann Helene Van Wyk
September 6, 1934 - July 15, 2020
Jo Ann Helene Van Wyk, age 85 of Monroe, passed away on Wednesday, July 15, 2020 at Taylor House Hospice in Des Moines. Graveside funeral services will be held on Saturday, July 18, 2020, at 10:00 a.m. at Silent City Cemetery in Monroe. There will be no visitation. Memorials may be directed to the family and online condolences may be left at www.coburnfuneralhomes.com
The daughter of Henry and Jennie (Brouwer) Willemsen, Jo Ann was born on September 6, 1934 on the family farm in Marion County. She graduated from Monroe High School in 1952. On March 4, 1955, she married the love of her life, Darrell G. Van Wyk. She and Darrell later purchased the farm where Jo Ann was born. Jo Ann loved the farm and worked beside her husband all her life. She was a member of the Monroe United Methodist Church and the Newton Moose Lodge.
Jo Ann was an excellent seamstress and spent many hours in her sewing room. She and Darrell spent a lot of night's country dancing with friends, wearing matching dance clothes that Jo Ann had sewn for them. She also enjoyed flea markets, taking care of her flowers and spoiling her much loved dogs, Jo and Joy.
Those left to honor her memory include her three children, Darla (Phil) German, Danna (David) Wood and Darwin (Lori) Van Wyk; six grandchildren, Megan (Justin) Bisom, Madison (Greg) Ganfield, Tanner (Caitlyn) Wood, Lindsey (Conner) Bigg, Ashley (Tom) Drake and Austin (Katy) Van Wyk; 17 great grandchildren; and a sister, Jennie Jo Pippel. Preceding JoAnn in death were her parents, husband, Darrell, in June of 2020 and a granddaughter, Kelly Jo.
Tributes
"I met your parents at square dancing. I loved them so much. They were so sweet and fun to be around. Sorry fo you loss. They are together again dancing in Heaven! "
"My sincerest condolences to Darla, Danna, and Darwin. Your mom and dad were always together. They are now together again. Thinking of all of you."
"Sending hugs and love to all of you in this very difficult time. It is not often that children lose both their parents in less than a month. Your parents were a great team and now they are together in heaven, too. ?. Lola Tibboel "
"Bob Klein, class mate MHS 52?, sends condolences to Jo Ann?s family!? "