Joann Heldenbrand

Joann Marie Heldenbrand (89) passed away on Jun 12, 2024, at Valley View Village in Des Moines, Iowa. A graveside service is planned for July 13, 2024 at 12 pm at the Van Meter City Cemetery with a dinner following at the Veterans Reception Center till 3 pm. Memorial contributions can be made to Eastern Iowa Honor Flight.  Online condolences can be made to: www.simplifyiowa.com

Joann Marie Miller was born to Clair and Effie (Kisling) Miller on January 12, 1935, in Earlham, Iowa. She was raised and educated in Earlham, Iowa, graduating with the class of 1954.

On April 10, 1954, Joann and Kenneth Dean Heldenbrand were united in marriage in Indianola, Iowa. Together the two settled in Des Moines, Iowa to start their family. Joann was a stay at home mother to her three children.  She taught cake decorating, upholstering, and ceramics at the YWCA.  She was a PTA volunteer at Granger Elementary and Weeks Middle School in south Des Moines.  She enjoyed gardening, painting, dancing, and quilting. Joann and Kenny were married for 61 years.  They lived in the Des Moines area most of their lives, retired on the lake in Montezuma, Iowa, then later moved to Grinnell, Iowa.  They spent many winters in McAllen, Texas.  She was known by her grandchildren as Grandma MeMe.

Joann is preceded in death by her parents, Clair and Effie Miller; husband, Kenneth Heldenbrand; son, Rusty Heldenbrand; sister, Betty Reinert; brothers, Dean, Donald, and Jerry Miller.

Left to cherish her memory are her children, Jean (Steven) Heaberlin, Dennis (Peggy) Heldenbrand, Cheryl Quinn; 11 grandchildren, 26 great grandchildren, 3 great great grandchildren, and a twin sister, Jeanette (Bob) Clark.