Obituary for Joanne Dunn

Joanne Dunn (né Rice), age 73, died of complications from heart disease and diabetes on December 22, 2021, in Des Moines, Iowa.

Joanne was born on March 24, 1948, in North Adams, Massachusetts, to parents Howard and Agnes Rice (né Lachance). She graduated from Charles McCann Vocational and Technical High School in 1965 with an emphasis in Culinary Arts. That same year, she married Joseph (Bill) Dunn Jr., and the couple had four children together.

Throughout her life, Joanne was characterized by her strong work ethic. She worked primarily in food service, but regardless of the job, she always arrived early and stayed until the work was done. She loved children and even teens. Many teenage waitresses and dishwashers benefitted from the kindness and attention they received from Joanne, and she often mentioned the best job she ever had was that of a cook at Polk County Juvenile Detention. She loved the job because of the opportunity to work with food and kids. 

Joanne is survived by her children Patty (Mike) Burrell, Joseph Dunn, Sam (Vicki) Dunn, and Brian (Gina) Dunn; her sister Sandra (Hector) Vigil; sisters-in-law Carolynne Dunn and Debbie Grant; nine grandchildren; seven great grandchildren, and scores of nieces, nephews, great nieces and great nephews. 

She is preceded in death by her husband, Bill Dunn; her partner; Ned Bates; her mother, Agnes Porrazzo; her father, Howard Rice; her stepfather, Earl Palmer, her sister, Shirley Harger; and her grandchild, Lacey Dunn, who died as an infant. 

A memorial and celebration of life will be scheduled at a later date by Joanne’s children.