Johanna "Jo" Garrett

Johanna “Jo” Garrett, 89, of Grundy Center, passed away on Sunday, May 19, 2019 at the Grundy Care Center in Grundy Center. Visitation for Jo will be held on Thursday, May 23rd from 5:00 PM to 7:00 PM at Abels Funeral & Cremation Service-Engelkes Chapel in Grundy Center. The funeral service will be held on Friday, May 24th at 10:30 AM at the American Lutheran Church in Grundy Center, preceded by an additional hour of visitation. Burial will follow services at the Rosehill Cemetery in Grundy Center. Memorials may be directed to the family. Memories of Jo and messages of condolence may be left for the family at www.abelsfuneralhomes.com

Jo was born on March 11, 1930, on the family farm in Palermo Township, IA, the daughter of Herman & Ubena (Rozevink) Beenken. She attended country school through the 8th grade and continued living on the family farm, helping with chores and taking care of her family. On February 24, 1951, Jo was united in marriage to Eugene Shuey. The couple were blessed with 5 children. The two later divorced. On February 21, 1970, Jo married William “Bill” Garrett in Missouri and welcomed son William into their family. He preceded her in death on December 24, 1994.

When Jo’s children were older, she began her working career outside of the home at many local businesses in Grundy Center that included Bill’s Restaurant, High Hopes, Skandia Inn, where she worked as the manager, Christo’s and lastly Family Foods, where she worked in the deli for over 17 years, where she retired. Jo loved cooking and was known for making her famous baked beans, fried bread and ‘Jo’s Potato Salad’. In her younger years, Jo enjoyed caring for her neighborhood kids. Jo was a hard worker her entire life. She enjoyed meeting the public and made many lasting relationships throughout her life. She will be deeply missed by those she leaves behind.

Jo is survived by her children Cheryl (Randy) Kriz, Darrel (Barbara) Shuey, Dean (Karen) Shuey, all of Grundy Center, Valorie (Allan) Hansen of Holland, Darwin (Becki Jo) Shuey of Grundy Center and William “Bill” Garrett of Waterloo; 12 grandchildren and 15 great-grandchildren; sisters-in-law Dorothy Beenken and Beverly Beenken. She is preceded in death by her parents; 2 husbands; grandson Kortney Kriz and great-grandson Emmett Allan Hansen; siblings Herman Beenken, Katherine Zech, Jennie Van Deest, Grace Harrenstein, Jake Beenken and Lutjen Beenken.