Josephine Anne "Joanne" Roellig

Josephine Anne "JoAnne" Roellig, age 94, of Palmyra, MO passed away at 4:32 am Thursday, January 9, 2025, at Monroe City Manor.

Funeral services will be held 10:30 a.m. Saturday, January 18, 2025, at Immanuel Lutheran Church in West Ely, MO. Pastor Scott Salo will officiate.  Burial will follow in the Immanuel Lutheran Cemetery.

Visitation celebrating JoAnne's life will be held 9:30 a.m. until the time of service Saturday at Immanuel Lutheran Church in West Ely, MO.

The family is being served by Smith Funeral Home & Chapel of Hannibal.

Josephine was born on January 21, 1930, in Hannibal, MO the daughter of Joseph and Estella (Campbell) Ruhl.

She was united in marriage to Russell Roellig on March 7, 1959, at St. John's Lutheran Church in Hannibal, MO. He preceded her in death on November 12, 2007.

Survivors include her two daughters, Karen Drebes (Matt) of Palmyra, MO and Mary Minter (Patrick) of Monroe City, MO; son, Eric Roellig of Little Rock, AR; two grandsons, Patrick Ryan Minter (Bobbi) and Kaleb Minter and two granddaughters, Kyla Minter (Ryan) and Christianna Minter (Randy).

Other survivors include ten great-grandchildren, Kaiden, Keira, Kynlie, Kaylynn, Richard, Ezekiel, Easton, Pheonix, Mariahna and Adilynn.

In addition to her parents and husband, JoAnne was preceded in death by three brothers, Richard Ruhl, Glen Ruhl and Phillip Ruhl, two sisters, Marian Pickett and Leta Mae Glascock and daughter-in-law, Mary Louise Roellig.

In her early life, she helped on the family farm during the depression and after.  Her main job was to milk cows but there was always something that needed done on the farm.

JoAnne graduated from Rensselaer High School in the class of 1948.  After, she was busy driving kids to school in the "school bus" that was her own station wagon, taught Sunday School and church was of utmost important in her life.

Professionally JoAnne worked at Bluff City Dairy as an Accounting Clerk, helped when needed with the soda fountain and anything else necessary at a small business.

After marriage, JoAnne became a member of Immanuel Lutheran Church where she was an active member of the Altar Society and cleaning the church.

JoAnne was a dedicated homemaker who took pride in helping around the farm and maintaining an organized household. She had a passion for flowers and gardening and loved the outdoors. She began walking 2 miles a day before it was in vogue to do so. She continued walking all through her life until the end. She was always driven to better herself, whether it be intellectually, spiritually, or physically.

Russ and JoAnne gave of themselves, their family, and all the love they were blessed with to help foster children and spent numerous years caring for infants to four-year-olds. JoAnne's family was her pride and joy.

When Russ retired and began woodworking, she was excited to share this hobby with him and supported and helped his creative projects. His retirement also made way for them to finally travel the US which they so enjoyed. Russ and JoAnne generously sponsored students at Concordia Seminary for over 40 years and felt strongly about spreading the word of God through this avenue.

Pallbearers will be Kaleb Minter, Patrick Minter, Ryan Minter, Kaiden Minter, Matt Drebes, Ryan Meyers and Randy Wilson. Honorary pallbearers will be Darryl Bode, Henry Floyd, Lowell Schachtsiek, Alan Schachtsiek, Leroy Taylor, Homer Glascock, Louis Cornelius and Jim Wolfmeyer.

Memorial contributions may be made to Immanuel Lutheran Church (West Ely) or Monroe City Manor, in care of Smith Funeral Home & Chapel.

Online condolences may be made to the family and video tribute viewed on JoAnne's memorial page at www.smithfuneralhomeandchapel.com