02/15/2018
Jo Anne (Welch) Rogers, 85, passed away Thursday, Feb. 15, 2018, at St. Luke's Hospital following an extended illness.
From her birth, on July 23, 1932, to her passing on Thursday, she was steadfast for her love of family, music and faith. She was born in Madison County, Iowa, to Raymond and Laura (Fife) Welch and was the eldest
of three daughters.
At an early age, Jo Anne taught herself how to play the piano and throughout her life continued playing the piano, organ, and pursuing her love of music.
In her youth, she moved and resided in Milan, Mo., for a few years before moving briefly to Washington, Iowa, and finally settling in Knoxville, Iowa. She lived in Knoxville from 10 years of age until her graduation from Knoxville High School in 1950. After graduation, she moved to Belle Plaine with her family. Jo Anne met and later married Jack (Calvin) Rogers on June 29, 1952, in Belle Plaine.
Jo Anne and Jack had four children, Sana Rogers, St. Thomas, Virgin Islands; Melissa Winnike, Oviedo, Fla.; Jennifer (Michael) Schmidt, Kildeer, Ill., and Jason (Jamie) Rogers, Cedar Rapids; eight grandchildren, Laura (Nic) Clark, Jenna Duncalf, Patrick Winnike, Matthew Schmidt, Alexandria Schmidt, Megan Rogers, Nicole Schmidt and Jack Rogers; and two great-grandchildren, Brielle and Lahna Clark.
When Jo Anne initially moved to Belle Plaine, she worked at Citizens State Bank, and later, Chelsea Savings Bank. Afterward, she devoted 12 years to Belle Plaine Community Schools as the school board secretary.
Jo Anne was preceded in death by her parents and husband, Jack,
She is survived by her children, her grandchildren, great-grandchildren and her sisters, Connie (Roger) Pyburn, Pensacola, Fla., and Bev (John) Lahn, Poinciana, Fla.
Jo Anne will be remembered for her undying love of family and music, spending time with her local "coffee club," service to her church and being an avid Iowa State and Cubs fan. She enjoyed attending her grandchildren's sporting events, dance performances and recitals. In the last few years of her life, Jo Anne lived and immersed herself in the community and activities provided by Keystone Place in Cedar Rapids.
Funeral services will be held Wednesday, Feb. 21, at 5 p.m. at Christ United Methodist Church in Belle Plaine with the Rev. Steve Hubbell officiating. Music will be provided by organist, Connie Pyburn, and vocalist the Rev. Charles Johnson. Jo Anne's ashes will eventually be interred at the Linwood Cemetery beside her husband.
The family will greet friends and relatives at church Wednesday, Feb. 21, from 3 p.m. until the time of the service.
In lieu of flowers, memorials may be made to the Jo Anne Rogers Memorial Fund to be donated to her designated charities.