JoAnne M. (Kraft) Loeffelholz, 64, of East Dubuque, IL, passed away peacefully on Tuesday, January 28, 2025 at home surrounded by her family after fighting a courageous battle with cancer.

Family and friends may call from 3:00 – 7:00 p.m. on Friday, January 31, 2025 at the Miller Funeral Home in East Dubuque, where the Parish Rosary will be recited at 2:30 p.m. Friday. Mass of Christian Burial will be celebrated at 10:30 a.m. on Saturday at St. Mary’s Church in East Dubuque, with Fr. Thomas Srenn officiating.  Burial will follow in the East Dubuque Cemetery.

JoAnne was born on February 8, 1960 in Dubuque, IA, the daughter of Leo and Helen (Jungblut) Kraft. She graduated from Wahlert High School in 1977. JoAnne married the love of her life, Donald Loeffelholz, on September 1, 1979 at St. Mary’s Catholic Church in East Dubuque, IL with the first disco themed wedding reception in Dubuque.

JoAnne was the heart of her family, a woman whose warmth and kindness touched everyone she met. She dedicated her life to her husband, children and grandchildren, always putting them first and filling them with love, wisdom, and unwavering support. There was not one second of her children’s lives that they did not know they were loved. JoAnne made sure to tell her kids and grandkids every day how much she loved them. She always encouraged her children to dream big, work hard and chase their dreams, no matter how crazy they were.

JoAnne dedicated her life to education. While raising her children, she returned to college full time to pursue a Bachelor’s and Master’s Degree in education. She was a Special Education teacher at George Washington Middle School in Dubuque for 28 years, the entirety of her career. JoAnne believed deeply in the importance of serving others. She was a member of the East Dubuque Board for 16 years, volunteered with numerous community organizations and was always willing to lend a hand to anyone in need.

JoAnne loved to read, spend time in her garden and could be found enjoying friends and family, with a lunchbox in hand. She loved to go on adventures, flower shopping, taking trips during the summer to Presidential Museums and watching her Chicago Bears. Holidays and family events would not have been complete without gathering at Nana’s house.

Surviving is her husband, Don (Big Fish); and their four children Amanda (Brandon) Tidwell of Moline, IL, Donald (DJ) Loeffelholz of East Dubuque, IL, Alaina (Ray) Gansemer of Asbury, IA and Joseph (Courtney) Loeffelholz of Galena, IL; 5 grandchildren, Gavin Loeffelholz, LilianaTidwell, Carter Tidwell, Ellison Gansemer and Broderick Gansemer. Also surviving are sisters Laura (Nick) Fiel of Ankeny, IA, Carrie (Dr. Greg) del Campo of San Diego, CA, Marty (Honorable Ron) Stadtmueller of San Diego, CA; four brothers Steve (Linda) Kraft of Dubuque, IA, Ted (Trish) Kraft of Cedar Rapids, IA, John (Nicole) Kraft of Peosta, IA and Jason Kraft of Dallas, TX.

JoAnne was preceded in death by her parents, Leo and Helen Kraft, and her sister, Jolene Kraft.

The family of JoAnne would like to thank Dr. Reith, Dr. Miller, Dr. Anderson and all of the nurses and staff at The University of Iowa Hospitals, Dr. Engleman and Tammy Noonan of the MercyOne Dubuque Cancer Center, the 2nd floor staff of Finley’s Rehab Center, and Jess and Stephanie from Hospice Dubuque for all of their care and kindness over the last year.

JoAnne’s children would like to thank their dad, Don, for showing their mom unconditional love for the last 45 years and for giving her the gift of dignity and never leaving her side as she fought so hard the last year.

In lieu of flowers, a JoAnne Loeffelholz memorial fund has been established.

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