Barbara JoAnn (Ramsey) Pierick
April 4, 1940 - August 26, 2024
The family will be present for the visitation, which is being held Saturday, August 31, 2024, from 8:30 AM to 10:00 AM at St. Mary of Nazareth Catholic Church located at 4600 Meredith Dr., Des Moines, IA. Funeral service following at 10:00 am at the church.
JoAnn passed away peacefully in the embrace of her family. Born in 1940 in Madrid, IA, to Paul and Mona Ramsey. JoAnn graduated from Lincoln high school. She was a devoted wife, mother, sister, grandmother and friend to many.
JoAnn was married to her soulmate, Bob Pierick, for 62 wonderful years. Together, they raised six children. They were the proud grandparents of nine, great-grandparents of seven, and great-great-grandparents of one, with another on the way. JoAnn and Bob were always present at their family’s milestones, offering unwavering love and support.
JoAnn had a fulfilling career in teaching ceramics and crafting from home and working in Home Interiors, Armstrong Co., and retiring as an Iowa Realty Agent in 1996. She was a proud member of the DOES BPOE #25 and later served as its president.
She enjoyed life’s simple pleasures, from crossword puzzles and sipping iced tea on the porch to cheering on the Steelers with Bob. The couple shared a deep love for their dogs over the years, especially their beloved Nikki. JoAnn was sharp-minded, loved reading books. Often times she could be found gardening in the yard, being artsy in her craft room. Her family will miss her homemade chicken noodles, cookies and applesauce. We all grew up to grandma singing her “lalalas” to us at bedtime.
In celebration of their 25th anniversary, JoAnn and Bob traveled to Europe, creating memories they cherished throughout their lives together.
Her life was a testament to love and laughter for her family. Her kindness, caring, support, and joy in the everyday will be deeply missed but forever remembered by those who knew her.
JoAnn survived by her children Patricia Baker; Rodney (Ivy) Pierick; Lori (Kenneth) Bryant; Robert Jr. (Jennifer) Pierick; Jason (Myla) Pierick; 9 grandchildren, 7 great-grandchildren, 1 great-great grandchild, 1 on the way; brother, Larry (Karin) Ramsey; several loving friends and extended family.
She was proceeded in death by her parents, Paul and Mona Ramsey; sister, Virginia “Ginny” Bowler; brother, Don Ramsey; husband, Robert “Bob” Pierick; son, Christopher Pierick.
In lieu of flowers, memorials may be directed to the Pierick Family at Merle Hay Funeral Home or made to the Congregation of the Humility of Mary.
