Joanne Heffern
August 7, 1934 ~ July 8, 2021
Joanne Heffern, 86, of Cedar Rapids, passed away on Thursday, July 8, 2021, at Mercy Medical Center. Visitation: 4-6 p.m. on Monday, July 12, 2021, at Stewart Baxter Funeral & Memorial Services, Cedar Rapids. Funeral Mass: 9 a.m. on Tuesday, July 13, 2021, at St. Matthew Catholic Church, Cedar Rapids, by Father Douglas Loecke. Burial will follow at Mt. Olivet Cemetery in Waukon. Following burial, family and friends are invited to a luncheon at St. Patrick Catholic Church in Waukon.
Friends and extended family are invited to watch the service via livestream. Please find the livestream link on Joan's Tribute Wall and share your support and memories with her family.
Survivors include her children, Michael (Allison) Heffern, Debbie Ernst (Tom Heifner), Denise (Lee) Votroubek, all of Cedar Rapids, and Kelly (Matthew) Peters of Plano, Texas; seven grandchildren, Stacy Ernst, Lance (Maggie) Votroubek, Sarah (James) Ernst Ware, Kyle (Laura) Votroubek, Graham (Soumya) Heffern, Nathan (Beth) Votroubek, and Anna Heffern; and nine great grandchildren.
Also surviving are her twin sister, Jean Schulte of Cedar Rapids; brothers, Patrick (Ann) Fahey of La Crescent, Minnesota, and Jim (Cheryl) Fahey of Decorah; and many beloved nieces and nephews.
Joan was born August 7, 1934, in Waukon, Iowa, the daughter of Emmett and Beatrice (Magner) Fahey. She grew up on the family farm, enjoying being outdoors with her horses. Joan graduated from St. Patrick High School in Waukon. On February 27, 1954, she married Donald Heffern.
Joan loved caring for her family and was proud of her Irish heritage. She was a member of St. Matthew Catholic Church, where she worked in the daycare for a few years. Her love and kindness will be greatly missed.
She was preceded in death by her parents; husband, Don; and son-in-law, David Ernst.
In lieu of flowers, memorials are suggested to the Employee Emergency Fund with the Mercy Medical Center Foundation.
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We knew Joanne before our daughter joined her family by marrying Nathan Votroubek. We went to St. Matthew’s Church also and Joanne would frequently stop us and admire our children. She was one of the nicest people I know. I can’t imagine her ever being angry.
Eric and I spent many Thanksgiving dinners in Joan’s company. She was the sweetest lady! She had a way of listening to you that made you feel like what you had to say was the most important news of the day. She always seemed thrilled when I brought her annual loaf of pumpkin bread. 🙏 Denise & Eric Ernst
Thank you, Denise and Eric! She loved you both and that pumpkin bread!
It has been a long time since I have seen Joan but I will always remember her sweet and calm demeanor. Over the years I’ve heard many stories from my grandma about the two growing up and love that they stayed best friends and called each other multiple times a day, just to check in. She will truly be missed!
Deepest Sympathy
A memory I have is when Joan and Don came with Jean and Greg (Darrel’s Parents) to visit Darrel and I and our 3 children Zach, Lindsey and Jenna when we lived in Sioux City, Iowa. They shared some great memories of Harpers Ferry, Dorchester and Waukon. We laughed and enjoyed their stories of a very simple time in their lives on the farm in what they called, “Gods country”. Joan and Don were both very kind and humble people. Joan alway talked about her faith and was a true model of how important it was to, “Get to church”. When they left our home that weekend, we were cleaning the room and found $100 bill under the pillow where Joan and Don slept that weekend. It was a nice surprise for us and it meant a lot, after all raising a young family was not always easy for us. Although Joan will be missed, we know that she is now reunited with Don and they are celebrating the happiest times of their lives in heaven. May god bless the family during this time and give them strength in the days ahead. Love Connie and Darrel Schulte
Joan was my godmother. She and my Mom were great friends in Waukon while my Dad Kenny Fahey and her husband Don were in the Korean war. I believe this was before Joan and Don moved to Cedar Rapids. I remember Joan as being so friendly and a warm person. The last time I had a chance to talk with Joan was at the Fahey reunion held at Dave and Laure Weymillers outside of Waukon. I am so sorry to hear that we have lost her. Diane Fahey Ernst
Love the picture of Grandma. Enjoyed my visits to Perkins with her, her great sense of humor on our many phone calls and always enjoyed her coming to my meets in high school and college. But how I made it to 41 without know Grandmas real name was Joanne is beyond me.
We are thinking of you during this difficult time.From the Schmitt ,Brown and Bueter Families
I too remember Joan as a very kind and loving person. She would listen so carefully and took a great interest in what you were doing. She had the greatest laugh. The butterfly symbolizes a new beginning; she is now with the Lord.
Thank you, Vecca ❤
Sorry for your loss. Love Jack,Deb, Jackson, Palmer and Sadie Schulte
My sympathy to the family at this time. Remembering Joanne from her high school days. Even though she was 4 years ahead of me, I knew her brothers very well. Parnell Etteldorf
May you Rest In Peace Aunt Joan. You will be missed. Love, Your Godson Kary Schulte & Kathleen
To all the family: Joan was such a special and sweet lady. We were fortunate to know her, Don and you kids in the neighborhood and of course at St Matthew’s church and school. We loved it anytime we could see her at Mass.