JoAnne Lee Schwarz, age 83, of Aplington, Iowa, was born the daughter of Forrest and Lillian (Easter) Stevens on November 26, 1942. She was baptized and confirmed at St. Paul Lutheran Church in Dearborn, Michigan. She graduated from Roosevelt High School in Dearborn in 1961 and went onto study English at Wartburg College in Waverly, Iowa.
On August 17, 1963, JoAnne was united in marriage with James “Jim” Fredrick Schwarz at St. Paul Lutheran Church in Dearborn, Michigan. They lived in Waverly, Clarksville and settled in Aplington, Iowa. She was a loving wife, mother and grandmother. JoAnne loved decorating cakes and began her business in the 1970’s. She baked and decorated birthday, wedding and graduation cakes for nearly 50 years.
She was a faithful and active member of the Bethel Lutheran Church, in Parkersburg. She served on the church council, head of the Altar Committee, choir director, was a liturgist, played in the bell choir, taught Sunday school and Bible school and she held various offices in the women’s group. For over 40 years she was a member of Cedar Harmony Chorus, local chapter of Sweet Adelines. She helped with many fundraisers through Thrivent. JoAnne was an Aplington Election Official for many years.
She enjoyed fishing on Lake Osakis, Minnesota, traveling, was an avid golfer, loved going out to eat, especially going to Mexican restaurants where she enjoyed lime margaritas on the rocks with salt. She was proud of her children, grandchildren, and great-grandchildren and always attended all their activities.
JoAnne passed away on June 30, 2026, at Mercy One in Waterloo after a brief illness. She was preceded in death by her husband, James Schwarz, November 29, 2022; one great-grandson, Robert Lee Bails; two sisters, Carole Roberts and Marian Sutton; one brother, Ralph Stevens; and two nieces, Lee Blake and Carlene Madden.
JoAnne is survived by her three children, James Jr. (Rebekah) Schwarz of Fairfield, Iowa, Joel (Sheila) Schwarz of Chaska, Minnesota and Julee (Daren) Fox of Linwood, Kansas; eight grandchildren, Rachel Bails, Daniel Schwarz, Keri (Chet) Vogt, Isaac Schwarz, Nathan Schwarz, Evan Schwarz, Paige Fox and Sawyer Fox; four great-grandchildren, Jensen, Callen and Weston Vogt and Levi Bails.
All obituary information has been taken from the funeral home, newspaper or other online resource.
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