JoAnn Elwell

JoAnn Carrol Elwell, 89, of Ankeny, Iowa, passed away peacefully at home surrounded by family on December 9, 2023, after a brief illness. She was a loving wife, mother, grandmother, great-grandmother, sister and friend. She will be greatly missed.

JoAnn was born on March 3, 1934, to Yugoslavian immigrants Mike and Anna Podnar of Carney, Iowa. She was the youngest of 6 children. She and all her siblings were "ride or die" Carney.

JoAnn was an all-state forward basketball player at Ankeny High School where she graduated in 1952. She later worked as a secretary at John Deere in Ankeny and played for the John Deere company basketball team. She crushed the jump shot.

JoAnn is survived by Doyle her loving husband of 54 years and the 8 children they raised together. David (Gloria) Gibson, Joyce (Mike) Morr, Kristin (Brock) Rude, Dennis (Melissa) Gibson, Eric (Dawn) Elwell, Lisa Elwell, Julie (David) Elwell and Doyle "B" Elwell Jr. "Yours, mine and ours" are a rambunctious group who love her very much. JoAnn excelled managing her large household. Her hard work ensured delicious home cooked meals, a spotless house and a loving environment. She was a fair referee.

After her children were raised, JoAnn worked at her daughter Joyce's daycare center as a cook and teacher. She entertained her charges with singing, guitar playing and pans of peanut butter rice krispie bars.

In retirement, JoAnn and Doyle traveled in their motorhome all over the country. She enjoyed visiting her extended family in Alabama, staying at her cabin in northern Minnesota, traveling with her sisters, niece and mother to Europe and attending NFL football games to watch her son Dennis play as a linebacker. She cheered him at Superbowl XXIX in Florida when he played for the San Diego Chargers. It was an epic family trip.

JoAnn had excellent taste and decorated her home with blue and white plates, roosters and vintage maple furniture that she refinished. She hosted our LARGE holiday get togethers in her beautiful home always baking trays of homemade cinnamon rolls for us to scarf down.

JoAnn loved her family, everything ISU sports, the Catholic Church, singing karaoke, playing guitar, winning at rummy, attending her 15 grandchildren's events, her flower garden and the slot machines at Prairie Meadows Casino.

She never slowed down and lived life fully. She was our hero.

JoAnn is preceded in death by her parents, 5 siblings and grandchild Brody Elwell.

A Mass of Christian Burial will take place on Monday, December 18, at 11:00 a.m. at All Saints Catholic Church, 650 NE 52nd Avenue, Des Moines, Iowa. Family will greet guests at 10:00 a.m. prior to services at the church. Burial will take place at Oralabor Cemetery, 515 SE Oralabor Road, Ankeny, Iowa.

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