JoAnn Mae Buelow, 88, of Clinton, Iowa passed away, with her family by her side, at the Alverno on Monday, October 3, 2022. A Funeral Mass will take place at 11 am on Monday, October 10, at the Church of the Visitation, Camanche. A visitation will occur from 2:30 pm to 4:30 pm, with a Rosary at 4:30 pm, on Sunday, October 9, at Lemke Funeral Homes – South Chapel. An additional visitation will occur one hour prior to the Funeral Mass at the Church. Lemke Funeral Homes assisted the family with arrangements.
JoAnn was born May 10, 1934 in rural Thomson, Illinois, the daughter of Justice and Anna (Hawk) Prins. She was a 1952 graduate of Lanark High School where she was very active, participating in the National Honor Society, FHA, the Kwill Klub, Leadership Training, student government, chorus, band, and theater.
JoAnn was united in marriage to Ralph E. Buelow on January 14, 1956 in Clinton, Iowa and they were married for 66 years.
JoAnn lived most of her adult life in Clinton and was a devoted long-time member of Sacred Heart Catholic Church and later the Church of the Visitation in Camanche. Ralph and JoAnn were also members of the Moose and the Odeon throughout the years.
JoAnn worked in banking and book-keeping. She worked for Clinton Federal Bank as a Loan Officer and later was the Branch Manager for American Federal Savings and Loan in Clinton. She also managed the Travelodge motel in Clinton and then in Terre Haute, Indiana, along with her husband Ralph.
As a child, JoAnn loved growing up on the farm in Illinois. This passion remained a part of her life as she maintained flower gardens and cared for her pets. One of her favorite activities was her weekly card club with treasured friends. Above all, she loved her family very much and was always so proud to talk about all of her family members and share photos of them. JoAnn doted on her family, especially through cooking and baking. She loved the holidays above all because she could share her wonderful Christmas cookies with all of her children and grandchildren. Mom and Grandma will be incredibly missed.
JoAnn is survived by her husband, Ralph E. Buelow Sr. of Clinton; four sons: Robert (Pamela) of Bluffton, SC, Ralph Jr. (Margarita) of Naples, FL, Thomas Sr. (Catherine) of Clinton, David (Judy) of Clinton; her grandchildren and great-grandchildren; and many nieces, nephews, cousins and friends.
She was preceded in death by her parents, three sisters, one brother, and two grandsons.
Memorials can be directed to the Church of the Visitation.