"One of the greatest and most lasting memories I have of Jo was her fantastic laugh. She was truly one of a kind and will be deeply missed by my family. May your grief soon be replaced with happy memories. My thoughts and prayers are with you all. -Tony Connor"
In loving memory of
Jo Ann Kinrade
August 1, 1942 - December 1, 2022
Jo Ann (Neary) Kinrade died Dec. 1, 2022, at MercyOne Hospital in Des Moines. A memorial service will be held at 2:30 p.m. December 7 at Grandon Funeral and Cremation Care, 414 Lincoln Way, Ames with a public visitation held at 1:30 pm until services.
Jo was born Aug. 1, 1942, in Los Angeles, California to James and Beulah Neary, who farmed in Buena Vista County, Iowa. She graduated in 1960 from Marathon High School.
Jo decided as a young girl, after surviving a bout of polio and experiencing the work of a "nice nurse" and a "mean nurse," that she wanted to grow up to be like the nice nurse. She completed training to become a registered nurse at Iowa Lutheran School of Nursing in 1963.
She worked as a nurse at McFarland Clinic in Ames for most of her career. After her retirement, she worked for the Ames Convention and Visitors Bureau and in her later years taught water aerobics for Ames Park and Recreation.
Jo married William Kinrade on Sept. 22, 1963, in Albert City, Iowa. Bill knows to the day how long they had been together, and says it wasn't long enough. They made their home in Ames, where they raised their two children, Craig (Indira) and Kathie (James) Obradovich. Her grandchildren, Kumari and William Kinrade, were the lights of her life. Jo also enjoyed sewing and reading, spending time with friends and traveling, including many bus tours around the country with Bill.
She is survived by her husband and children, grandchildren, and her brother, Fred (Sandi) Neary.
Memorial donations could be made to Ames Public Library or Iowa PBS.
Online condolences may be directed to www.grandonfunerlandcremationcare.com
Tributes
"To the Entire Kinrade family - we are still in shock over losing Jo - we have been their neighbors in two different locations in Ames and have played hundreds of games of Euchre and other games over the almost 50 years we have known this wonderful family. As everyone else has mentioned, Jo was a wonderful person in SO many ways and was so proud of her children and grandchildren. She has left a big hole in our hearts in many ways. Love and prayers are coming your way. Steve and Kay Wessman"
"Craig, Indira, Kumari and Will - I am so sorry to hear of your mother/grandmother's passing. Keeping you all in my thoughts and prayers. "
"I met Jo for the first time at the City Gym in Ames where she was often seen, and where she occasionally substituted for instructors. She was so good at leading fitness classes and was such a cordial and interesting person to visit with. She was also so proud her Kathie, her daughter. I was glad to know her, and was sorry that it hadn't been for longer. "
"Jo and Bill were, for years, our wonderful neighbors on Maxwell Avenue. Since moving, we have continued to enjoy their company on fun evenings of pizza and Mexican train. We can't forget all of those photos of birthday celebrations with the crazy birthday hat. Jo's passing leaves a hole in our hearts. God speed, Jo. Elizabeth and Bob Angelici"
"My sympathy to Bill, Craig, Kathy and all of Jo's family on the passing of Jo. She was a wonderful classmate at ILH and a great friend to me. I enjoyed all our emails sharing our news of family and she sent many inspiring and funny stories she found on the web. I will miss hearing from her however t was blessed to have her in my life! God bless you all! Marilyn Neubauer Ryerson"
"I feel honored to have known Jo for the past 22 years. She was always an inspiration to me, with her love of reading, travel and social justice issues. She was one of my favorite people to see regularly in my work as a dental hygienist. She was a deeply trusted friend, confidant and mentor. She will be sorely missed."
"I met Jo as a young nurse when we moved to Ames and I started working at McFarland clinic. She was a mentor, and modeled character, hard work, and ?direct communication:)? I?ll always be grateful to her for inviting me to join a group of nurses who played bridge...a group I cherish to this day, who still gather together 25+ Yrs after putting the cards away for good. Her smile, laugh, love for her family, travel,Books and sense of humor will be remembered forever, and she will be missed. Godspeed, Jo.?. Love, Anne"
"Jo was a good friend - a book sharing friend for sure. We were always leaving books at each other's homes to share. We worked in several departments together at McFarland. She always had her finger on the pulse of what was going on. She was a mentor and a reliable colleague. Stil hard to believe she is gone. She did not suffer fools gladly, was an awesome cook (I'll miss the smokies wrapped in bacon), and a cheerleader for her kids and her beloved grands as well. She will be missed and mourned for some time. Godspeed, Jo JR"
"So sorry, Bill, Kathie, and Craig to hear of Jo's passing. Our family has so many good memories of you on Melrose St. and the time you came to the Black Hills and visited us. Also, that Beth and Kathie's birthdays are only a day apart. :) Praying for peace and comfort for all of you. Blessings, Fran & Larry Bauer"