Obituary of JoAnn Charlotte Ellis

JoAnn was born on October 1, 1945, in Washburn, North Dakota to John A. Heiser and Elinore A. Ford. She moved to Idaho as a young child and attended school in Kellogg. JoAnn worked as a cosmetologist but her favorite roles played here on Earth were that of a mother, grandmother and great-grandmother. 

JoAnn loved to soak up the sun’s rays while tending her flowers and garden beds. She enjoyed gardening, canning, baking, picking huckleberries, playing horseshoes, visiting with friends and spending time with her family. JoAnn openly shared her love, patience and nurturing heart which will carry on in all of those whom knew her. She loved to make goodies for others and if were ever the recipient of canned goods, baked items or dried fruit snacks, you knew she was fond of you. She had a giving heart and a healing soul. Her existence made the world a better place. She will be painfully missed.

JoAnn is preceded in death by her loving parents, John Heiser and Elinore Arklander; brothers, Andrew and George Johnson and John Heiser; sister, Annabelle Scott and daughter, Tuesday Ellis.

She is survived by her significant other, Steven Lauritzen, brothers; Richard Johnson, Mark Heiser and Ray Arklander; sisters, Rachel Johnson and Mary Arklander; daughters and spouses, Sonya Emerson and Mikey Monaghan and Cindy and Jeremiah Freer; granddaughters and spouses, Lisa and Ray Estrada, Hailey and Matt Parker and Brooklynn Freer; grandsons, Kyson Freer and Colton Monaghan; great-grandsons, Dominic Estrada and Camdyn Parker; great-granddaughter, Aaliyah Estrada as well as many cousins, nephews, nieces and countless friends.

A celebration of life for JoAnn will be a potluck from 1 to 4 p.m. on Saturday, June 30, 2018 at Stub Meyer Park in Rathdrum, Idaho.

In lieu of flowers and gifts, please donate to the Schneidmiller Hospice House, 2290 W. Prairie Avenue, Coeur d'Alene, Idaho 83815. The comfort and compassion provided by the staff of North Idaho Hospice in JoAnn's last hours on Earth will never be forgotten.