Joanne Chesnut

Joanne Chesnut, 71, of Anita, Iowa, Passed away Wednesday, February 6, 2008, at Colonial Manor in Anita.

D. Joanne Marquis Chesnut was born on July 4, 1936, in Coon Rapids, Iowa, the daughter of Emanuel Reed "Bud" and Arlene (Thompson) Marquis.

She grew up on the family farm southwest of Adair and attended Adair High School, graduating in 1953.

Joanne and Lyle Eugene Chesnut where married at the First United Methodist Church in Atlantic, Iowa, on December 27, 1954. They farmed southwest of Adair for 10 years. During this time one son and three daughters were born. In 1963 they moved to Anita and continued farming for over 40 years, until their retirement.
Since retirement, Joanne remained active being a dedicated wife, mother, and grandmother, along with her involvement in the community. Joanne was a member of the Anita American Legion Auxiliary, serving as the post Historian, as well as a member on the Adair Cemetery Board. She served her community regularly through her work with the Anita American Legion Bingo Kitchen. Joanne was an avid writer, and wrote in a daily journal.

Survivors include her husband Lyle Chesnut of Anita, Iowa; her son Alan Chesnut and his wife, Rita of Atlantic, Iowa; her daughter Vickie Michels and her husband Mike, of Dixon, Illinois; three granddaughters, Mindy Scadden and her husband, Sonny of Maryville, Missouri, Stacy Chesnut and her fiancé, Brett Johnson of Maryville, Missouri; Tara Michels of Dixon Illinois; and a great grandson, Kolby Lane Scadden of Maryville, Missouri; four sisters, Janice Sheeder and husband, Delbert of Adair, Iowa, Jean Hall and husband, Meriel of Fontanelle, Iowa, Jeanette Crees and husband, Bill of Casey, Iowa and Joyce Rocholz and husband, Harold of Casey, Iowa. Also surviving are her brothers-in-law Larry Chesnut, Ray Chesnut and his wife, Marilyn, Don Chesnut and his wife, Shirley all of Adair, Iowa, Dale and his wife, Marlene of Elkader, Iowa, and John Chesnut and his wife, Ardith of Boone, Iowa.

Joanne is preceded in death by her parents; her twin daughters, Cindy D. and Cherie J. Chesnut; and her granddaughter, Nicole Michels.

Memorial services will be held at 11:00 a.m., Saturday, February 9, 2008, at the Hockenberry Funeral Home in Anita, with The Reverend Leon Hodges, Hospice Chaplain, officiating.

Visitation with the family is scheduled for Friday evening, from 6:00 p.m. until 8:00 p.m. at Hockenberry's in Anita.

Joanne's ashes will be buried in the Sunnyhill Cemetery, Adair, Iowa, at a later date.

The family is requesting that memorials go to the Anita Volunteer Fire Department, the Anita Library, or the Anita American Legion Scholarship Fund.

Hockenberry Funeral Home in Anita is assisting with the arrangements.