Joanne went to be with the Lord on July 14, 2021. Her funeral will begin at 11 a.m., Saturday, July 17, 2021 at Merle Hay Funeral Home, where visitation will begin at 10 a.m. Interment will be at Chapel Hill Cemetery.
She was born July 3, 1933, the only child of Arthur and Ruth Montgomery of Marengo, Illinois. Born close to the 4th of July, Joanne’s childhood nickname was Sparky and she had a feisty personality to match. Joanne had a zest for life and made the ordinary an adventure.
Joanne married Jim Neal in college and quit school to raise a family. They later divorced. She was a single working mom for many years, went to night school and proudly graduated from Drake University in 1976.
Joanne married the love of her life, Thomas Thorup in 1979. They were long time Beaverdale residents. She worked for the State of Iowa and later in the insurance industry. She enjoyed music, dancing, gardening, playing cards, sewing, traveling and was politically active. Joanne and Tom loved trips to Florida, New Orleans, Disney World and romantic weekends in Omaha. She attended her grandchildren’s events, often traveling many miles to do so.
Joanne was preceded in death by her parents, her grandson Ryan Neal and great-granddaughter Ella Frese. She is survived by her husband, Tom; children Michael (Debra) Neal of Texas, Cathy Nutting of Sigourney, Scott (Rose) Neal of Des Moines, Pam (Tom) Satern of Cedar Rapids. Grandchildren Nathan (Lucretia) Neal, Joshua (Stanlie Burrell) Nutting, Emily (Stephen) Frese, Marissa (Stephen) Hoelscher, Noah Satern, Jeffrey Neal, Heath Neal and Faith Satern. Great-grandchildren Carolina Neal, David Hoelscher, Benjamin Frese, Isabella Neal and Isabelle Hoelscher.
We want to thank the staff of Woodlands Creek and Hospice of Unity Point for their loving care. In lieu of flowers, memorial contributions may be given to the family to be designated at a later date.
Please join us for lunch at Woodlands Creek Senior Living Clubhouse
12675 Woodlands Pkwy
Clive, Ia 50325
Masks required to enter the building & may be removed in the reception room.
