Joann Renda

Joann Renda, 78, passed away peacefully at home while surrounded by her loving family on Saturday, December 5, 2009, after a two year courageous battle with lung cancer. A funeral mass will be at 11 am Thursday December 10th, 2009, at St. Anthony’s Catholic Church with a visitation from 4-8 pm on Tuesday December 8, 2009, at Hamilton’s Southtown Funeral Home. Cremation will follow the service with a private burial at a later date.

Joann was born February 24, 1931, in Des Moines to Lela and Forrest Malloy. She graduated from Lincoln High School and married Thomas R. Renda on December 30, 1949. Tom and Joann had five children and all were raised on the southside of Des Moines.

Joann had a big heart, great sense of humor; she was a great cook and had an enormous love and dedication to her family. She always put family and friends first and was selfless in every way. She was the type of person who always found good in everyone and generously gave praise. Her love of spending time with family is what she treasured the most. She was always a big supporter of her children and grandchildren’s activities and was a friend to everyone she came into contact with; she never met a stranger.

For many years Joann and her husband Tom owned and operated the Dairy Queen on SW 9th Street, as well as owned and managed several apartment complexes in the area. Joann and Tom loved traveling extensively in their motor home. Where ever it was sunny and warm, you could find Joann people watching, playing slot machines at the local casino and meeting new people who many times became life long friends.

She is survived by her husband of 60 years, Thomas R. Renda; children; Vicki (Dave) Scott of Des Moines, Sheri Amodeo of Des Moines, Frank (Larree) Renda of Hillsborough California, Tom (Carol) Renda of Des Moines, John Renda of West Des Moines. 7 grandchildren: Jennifer Amodeo of Des Moines, Nick Amodeo of Denver Colorado, Tommy Renda, Kristina Renda, Tony Renda all of Hillsborough California, Alexis Scott of Des Moines and Peter Renda of Des Moines.

Along with her parents, she is preceded in death by her sisters, Dorothy Cox and Betty Pickett.

www.HamiltonsFuneralHome.com

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