"Sending love and light to Cheri and Scott and to all of Jo's loved ones. While I never met Jo in person, only by phone, I feel like I know her from Cheri's stories and from this beautiful tribute. Jo has passed on to her peaceful place to be with her treasured sister, Lonnie, and all those loved ones who passed before her. Wishing the entire circle of Jo's family and friends peaceful presence to carry on. Love, Fran O. Shippy, Friendamily of Cheri and Scott"
In loving memory of
Jo Anne Cable
April 3, 1943 - February 4, 2023
Jo Anne "Joanie" Cable, beloved daughter, sister, mother, aunt, cousin and friend, passed away peacefully at Agrace Hospice in Wisconsin on February 4, 2023, in the company of her family.
Jo was born on April 3, 1943 to Melvin W. and Yvonne B. Makelbust in Ames, Iowa. She was the first of three children born to Mak and Bonnie, as they were affectionately known to their friends and loved ones. When she was born they lived in a house on S. Franklin St. in Ames, which was one of the first homes built by Mak.
Jo attended St. Cecilia school and graduated from Ames High School. In her youth she danced at Ann Dirksen Dance Studio in Ames and performed in recitals in ballet and toe. There are many photos in our family of Jo as a young person with animals, and she once said that anytime there were animals around, she wanted to be near them, and have her picture taken with them, always a natural animal lover.
Shortly after high school, Jo married Steve Carr and soon after they welcomed a daughter, Cheron Lyn "Cheri". Following a divorce from Steve, Jo lived in the country with her partner Jerry and each of their children, where they raised horses and took the horses on trail riding camping trips. Jo especially enjoyed watching Cheri and her 4-H friends show their horses at the county and state fairs and the local saddle clubs. Jo enjoyed her role as one of the horse show moms.
Later in her life, Jo met and married the love of her life, Bob Cable. The two of them purchased and renovated a turn of the century house in Colo, IA, where Bob grew up. They also enjoyed travelling and site seeing, especially visiting historic locations. They both loved the rescue dogs in their life, of which they always had one or two. As much as Jo loved all animals, she especially loved dogs. Jo had many books on dogs on her book shelves. They loved to listen to Bob Segar who was one of Jo's favorites, especially "Old Time Rock and Roll" - which we played at Agrace Hospice when Jo had passed and was exiting the building. The wonderful Agrace staff were all smiling at the song.
Jo worked for many years for the city of Ames in the Department of Human Resources and enjoyed the people she met and worked with. She was an avid reader, especially loving history and collecting rare books. She collected jade and always had a beautiful collection on display. She enjoyed interior design and she and her sister, Lonnie enjoyed shopping for their homes and helping each other with decorating. Jo and Lonnie loved to travel to Hawaii and visited the islands several times together.
After retirement, Bob and Jo moved to Bentonville, AR to the area where some of Bob's siblings were living. Upon Bob's death in 2014, Jo relocated to Austin, TX to be near her sister and brother-in-law. Jo had recently relocated back to the Midwest to Madison, WI to be with her daughter and son-in-law.
Jo was a true warrior, handling a life with rheumatoid arthritis with strength and grace, never complaining.
Jo is survived by her daughter Cheri and son-in-law, Scott Clippinger; her brother, Michael Makelbust and his wife Linda; her brother-in-law Richard Stober; her nieces, a nephew, and many cousins and all of their children.
She was preceded in death by her husband, Robert Cable; her parents, Melvin and Yvonne Makelbust; her sister, Lonnie Jean Stober; and her best little dog, Max.
A Remembrance Gathering will be held at Reiman Gardens, Iowa State University, in the Hunziker House at 2:00 pm, Saturday, April 15, 2023 in Ames Iowa. All are welcome to join and are encouraged to share memories of Jo.
In lieu of flowers, donations may kindly be sent in Jo's name to Agrace Hospice in Fitchburg, WI, or to a dog rescue organization of your choice.
Informed Choice Funeral
& Cremation Alternatives
3325 E. Washington Ave. Madison
(608) 249-6758
Please share your memories at www.informedchoicefunerals.com