JoAnn Carole Roderfeld, was born December 20, 1954 in St. Charles, Missouri to Leland Tuepker and Helen Roderfeld. JoAnn attended Colorado State University and received her undergraduate and Master's degrees. She was the first one in her family to receive a college and Master's degree.
JoAnn worked in Minot, North Dakota, Chicago, Illinois and Denver, Colorado where she was a rehab counselor, and was responsible for obtaining services for special needs students. In Chicago, she worked for numerous city colleges and was made Dean. In Colorado, her job required that she travel the state, so she enjoyed learning about Colorado history. When she retired, she took a part-time job for the Aurora Public Library. While there she made changes to improve the flow of the library and designed a new open/close sign for the library. It was approved by the board and the new sign was made using JoAnn's design. After moving to McCook she worked part-time for St. Patrick Catholic Church. Among the many duties there, she wrote the weekly bulletin. JoAnn loved her church, and the special people and Priests that served there.
JoAnn was a caregiver to her mother. The largest trip JoAnn ever took was to England, Ireland, Scotland and Wales. She was proud that she was able to take her mother with her. They shared many laughs and happy memories. They also enjoyed exploring the Sandhills of Nebraska.
JoAnn's greatest joy was spending time at home with her books and cats. She was an exceptional writer. She could put pen to paper in a way that caught your attention and held your interest. Her father never spoke of his time in the Army Air Corp, where he was a pilot during World War II. JoAnn did some research and found out all the medals he earned while flying over the Hump in the China, Burma, India theater. She also wrote a history of her mother's life, that included what it was like living on a farm during the Depression. It was a significant gift to her siblings to have these detailed events of their parents' lives to give to their children, and to pass on to each generation. JoAnn was an avid reader all her life, as her thousands of books can attest to. Her dad always made the joke that when the other kids were busy doing chores, JoAnn could be found lying on the couch with a book in hand. After going to bed at night, her mother would often find JoAnn under the covers with a flashlight, happily reading. Her sister, Sandi, remembers when JoAnn was very young, having her circle the different alphabet letters in the newspaper because she wanted to learn to read so badly. She never stopped reading since. She collected first edition books and had an extensive collection.
JoAnn moved to McCook in June in 2002 where she was able to enjoy a peaceful life with her cats, Callie and Orla. She was a pint-sized redhead, but she was mighty in all the things she set out to do, and all the things she accomplished in her life.
JoAnn passed away Friday afternoon, May 17, 2024 at the Hillcrest Nursing Home in McCook. She was 69 years of age.
Her siblings include Sandra Adolff, Arvada, CO; Joyce Tuepker (Steve), Littleton, CO; Ronald Tuepker (Nancy), Nevada, MO; Cheryl Tuepker, Nevada, MO; David Tuepker (Carolyn), Englewood, CO; Barbara Armstrong (Neal), Lakewood, CO; and Michael Tuepker, Aurora, CO; she is also survived by many nieces and nephews. JoAnn was preceded in death by her parents and a nephew. She will be greatly missed by her chosen family in McCook, Jill Koenig and family, Kate Seigfried and family, Kayla Wurm, and Jennifer Liess, and many others at St Patrick Catholic Church, and Community Hospital Cardiopulmonary rehab.
Visitation will be held on Wednesday, May, 22, 2024 from 10 AM - 7 PM at Herrmann-Jones Funeral Chapel in McCook. A rosary will follow the visitation, beginning at 7 PM.
Mass of Christian Burial is scheduled for 10:30 AM on Thursday, May 23, 2024 at St. Patrick Catholic Church in McCook with Father Gary Brethour celebrating. Burial in the St. Patrick Calvary Cemetery of McCook will follow services.
Memorials in JoAnn's name are suggested to St. Patrick Catholic Church of McCook. Online condolences may be left at herrmannfh.com. Arrangements have been entrusted to Herrmann-Jones Funeral Chapel of McCook.