JoAnne C. Sondgeroth, nee Whipple, passed away Wednesday, November 22, 2023 at Allure of Mendota. She was 81.

Visitation will be from 10:00 a.m. until 11:00 a.m., December 1, 2023. The Rosary will be said at 11:00 a.m. and funeral services will directly follow with Father Jeffrey Windy officiating. Cremation rites will be accorded after and private burial will be held at Holy Cross Cemetery at a later date.

JoAnne was born January 23, 1942 to Howard (H.K.) and Winona (Peve) Whipple in Moline, Illinois.

She was a graduate of Mendota High School. She met her future husband David "Whitey" Sondgeroth, when he worked for her dad in the construction business. They married on August 26, 1961 and moved to Fort Hood, Texas when David was drafted in the United States Army. After David's military service, they returned home to Mendota where they raised their three children, living their entire lives in only two homes, both on Guiles Avenue.

She attended St. Mary's School of Nursing and graduated with her LPN. Her nursing career was spent at Mendota Community Hospital and the Mendota Lutheran Home. JoAnne was an avid reader, a faithful member of Holy Cross Church and member of TOPS where she served as secretary for the club. She enjoyed spending time with her family and especially Friday night chicken at Sip n' Snack.

JoAnne is survived by Patty (Larry: deceased) Noles of Mendota and Christine (Steve) Finley of Utica; one son Charles (Shannon) Sondgeroth of Killeen, Texas; six grandchildren Amber Badgett (DJ Kilanowski), Andrea (Corey) Friesz, Alexis (Andrew) Barnes, Sarah (Tiffany) Goetz, Rachel (Siddhanth) Paralkar and Rebecca Sondgeroth and four great grandchildren.

She was preceded in death by her husband David in July of 2023, her only sister and brother-in-law Wilma and Everett Olmstead, her parents and her stepmother Gertrude Whipple-Nance.

Honorary pallbearers will be her grandchildren.

In lieu of flowers, please directed memorials to Mendota Area Senior Services of Holy Cross Church.