JoAnn Lillian Ayers, 89, of Dubuque, died peacefully on Saturday, December 27, 2025, at Stonehill Care Center. She spent a beautiful Christmas Eve there with family gathered around sharing stories and memories and getting hugs from each one in attendance.

Private family services were held Tuesday at Behr Funeral Home. Burial will be in Mt. Calvary Cemetery.

She was born on June 25, 1936, in Dubuque, Iowa, daughter of LeRoy John Feyen and Myrtle Josephine (Pfohl) Feyen. She married Jack “Jackie” LeRoy Ayers on April 16, 1955, at St. Mary’s Church in Dubuque.

She attended her beloved St. Mary’s grade school, Immaculate Conception Academy and Senior High School in Dubuque. JoAnn worked many jobs in her younger years before being a full-time homemaker and then worked at K Mart from 1975 to 1995, retiring from there as a supervisor.

JoAnn had many cherished memories of her childhood at their home on Jackson St., documenting them for family to enjoy reading for many years to come. JoAnn was a wonderful and loving wife, mother, grandmother and great grandmother, and she cherished her family above everything else. Family meals were important to her, and Sundays were saved for spending time with the grandparents, just as she did when she was a child. Christmas gatherings were always special. Her 2 all-time favorite gifts from her children were a DNA test kit and a digital picture frame. Many memories were made with family and friends cruising on the Mississippi River, stopping to eat on a beach. JoAnn loved to drive and was passionate about traveling when she could. She had many hobbies including reading British novels and mysteries, researching the family ancestry, shopping for books, magazines and decorations for the house, and she always kept current on all the worldwide news. She cherished very much her longtime friendship with her best friend from St. Mary’s, Jacqueline.

Surviving are her husband Jack, her children Dan (Gail) of Aurora, Colorado, David (Mary Jo) of Dubuque,  Carol (Tim) Hinderman of Hazel Green, WI, and Mike (Jannifer) of Madison, WI, her grandchildren Tara Baker, Kevin Ayers, Amy Callaway, Josh Ayers, & Emily Ayers, her great-grandchildren Kami Henry, Brody and Bryce Baker, Lola and Dylan Callaway, and a great-great grandchild due in July, a brother in law Jim (Linda) Ayers, and many nieces and nephews.

She was preceded in death by her son Thomas, her parents and a brother Bill.

JoAnn would want to thank her family and friends for their love and support, the staff at Stonehill Care Center for the kind and compassionate care she received while there, and Hospice of Dubuque for all they did in her last days.

Online condolences may be left for the family at www.behrfuneralhome.com