JoAnn (Gray) Hohneke (age: 86), of Indianola, Iowa, passed away peacefully on August 2nd, 2025, in her home surrounded by loved ones. Services will be held at a later date.

JoAnn grew up in Winterset, Iowa, with her parents, Dale and Doris Gray. Although she was an only child, she was never lonely. Her parents ran a nursing home, filling her days with the constant hum of conversation, the sound of laughter, and the kind of love that comes from being surrounded by people who cared for one another.

JoAnn met her husband, Darvin, when she was seventeen. Just a few months later, they married in a small ceremony and began building their life together. Their son, Tony, came first, and a few years later their daughter, Darvanna, arrived—completing their family.

Family was at the center of everything for JoAnn. She and Darvin, along with his twin Marvin and Marvin's wife Irma, formed a tight-knit crew who traveled often and made frequent trips to Vegas, collecting stories and laughs along the way.

In her career, JoAnn helped struggling families find stability and support. She listened, gave honest guidance, and worked tirelessly to connect people with the jobs, benefits, and resources they needed to build a better life. She believed in accountability and compassion—in helping people help themselves, with dignity.

JoAnn loved bad reality TV, good gossip sessions, and spending time with her grandkids and great-grandchildren. She had the perfect mix of sweetness and feistiness—and when it came to her grandkids, she could never say no. If Darvin hesitated, it only took one "Oh, Darv…" and a little pout from JoAnn, and before long, he'd be on board.

She knew how to get her way, and he never minded letting her win.

And as her memory began to fade in her later years, the things that stayed with her were the things that mattered: her family, her childhood, and the deep gratitude she always had for the life her parents gave her when they chose her.

JoAnn was preceded in death by her parents, Dale and Doris Gray; her sister-in-law, Irma Hohneke; her daughter-in-law, Tammy Hohneke; and her grandson, Andy McCombs. She missed them deeply until the end.

She leaves behind her husband, Darvin; her daughter, Darvanna, and son Tony; and a long line of people she spoiled and fiercely loved: Amanda (Austin) Smith and Addie (Luke) Garrison, along with Amanda's children Rylee and Huck; Dustin (Shelby) Hohneke and their son Brantley; and brother-in-law Marvin Hohneke.

To honor JoAnn's lifelong love of animals, donations can be made to the Kiya Koda to support the construction of their new facility, providing animals with a little more space to rest, roam, and be loved—just as she always wanted.

Joann was one of a kind—stylish, stubborn, hilarious, generous, and deeply loved. We'll miss her fire, her softness, her sass, and her stories. But mostly, we'll just miss her.