Obituary for Joanne Elizabeth Mensinger

Joanne Elizabeth Howard was born on January 21, 1941, to Marion Curtis Howard and Johanne Elizabeth (Beth) Howard in Clinton, Iowa. She shared her childhood with one brother, Benjamin Willis Howard of New York. She married Gary Carl Mensinger on December 17, 1960, in Clinton, Iowa.  

Joanne and Gary celebrated their 64th anniversary on December 17, 2024. They both treasured and honored their time together. When we took Mom’s wedding rings off after she had passed, we noticed that the backs of the rings were worn down to a thread. That’s what wearing a ring over 64 years will do…….  It is rare, and it is beautiful. It has always been Mom and Dad’s desire that their deaths be honored together as well; therefore, there will not be a special service for Mom until Dad passes. Of course, each person can honor Mom by sharing her memories through love and kindness to others. 

Is it also Mom’s desire that her life be remembered by who she was instead of what she did. 
Mom’s heart was full of music, her animals, and her family. 

She had a love and talent for music that she shared as an organist/pianist for churches over the last 60 years as well as playing for weddings, accompanying musical groups and even accompanying students in school instrumental and vocal competitions.

Her love of animals was universal and showed no boundaries. Whether it was the baby raccoons climbing on the patio screen doors, the little chipmunks who all had names, the many deer grazing in the fields, the big white dog who took up all the room on the couch, or the many cats who spent hours on her lap, Mom loved them all. 

Mom always treasured her family the most. She was a loving daughter, sister, wife, mother, grandma and great grandma.  Over 64 years of marriage, what started out as just the two of them grew into an amazing family of two children: Kelley Lynn Brown of Bellevue, Iowa and Jeffrey Carl (Liesl) Mensinger of Camanche, Iowa, six grandchildren: Scott (Shaina) Krava, Zachary (Abbey) Krava, Jay Brown, Sierra Brown, Cody (Savannah) Mensinger and Bailey (Brady) Beal, and seven (almost eight) great-grandchildren: Felix Krava, Asher Krava, Zander Krava, Ayla Krava, Zoey Krava, Caden Mensinger, Colter Mensinger and Baby Beal.  

Joanne was preceded in death by both her parents; Marion and Beth, her in-laws; Russ and Grace Mensinger, and her bother-in-law and sister-in-law: Jerry and Alice Mensinger. 

To honor Mom, please take the time to truly appreciate your favorite music, sit in the awe and beauty of all that nature and its animals have to offer, and love your family, unconditionally.