JoAnn Meints

JoAnn Meints, 92, of Parkersburg, Iowa, formerly of Wellsburg, Iowa, passed away Wednesday, July 31, 2024, at Parker Place Retirement Community in Parkersburg, Iowa. Memorial visitation will be held at St. Paul Lutheran Church, rural Wellsburg on Friday, August 9, 2024, from 9:30 a.m. until time of memorial service at 10:30 a.m. Inurnment will follow at St. Paul Lutheran Cemetery. Memorials may be directed to the family. Abels Funeral and Cremation Service, Doyen Chapel is honored to be assisting the family.

JoAnn was born on January 13, 1932, the daughter of Dick and Lena (Trey) Escher. She was raised in Parkersburg and graduated from Parkersburg High School. JoAnn was married to Millard Redix in January of 1952, and they welcomed five children into their family. The couple later divorced. JoAnn was then united in marriage to Vincel Meints on February 5, 1966, and they welcomed one more son into their family. Vincel passed away in August of 2023.

JoAnn played organ for the Bethel Lutheran Church in Parkersburg and later for St. Paul Lutheran Church in rural Wellsburg. She sold Avon for many years and won several awards. JoAnn sorted and detasseled corn, raised six kids, helped run a restaurant and then later a lumberyard with her husband Vincel. They also managed a housing complex in Wellsburg together. JoAnn always kept busy. In the little free time she had, JoAnn enjoyed knitting and crocheting, however her true joy in life came from spending time with her family.

JoAnn is survived by her children Russell Redix of Wellsburg, Richard (Connie) Redix of Wellsburg, Rita Wilson of Waterloo, Roxanne (Doug) Heikens of Steamboat Rock, Rhonda Cole of Grundy Center, and Randy Meints of Wellsburg; 6 grandchildren; many great-grandchildren; sister Phyllis Alberts of Hudson; and many nieces and nephews. She was preceded in death by her parents, husband Vincel; brothers-in-law Vernon Meints, and Gary Alberts; sons-in-law Denny Nehls, and Terry Cole, grandson Justin Redix, and sisters-in-law Velma Meints, and Ella Meints.