Jo Ann Eggers

Jo Ann Johnson Eggers died Saturday, Dec. 11, in Marysville, Kan., after a courageous battle with Alzheimer's Disease. She will be missed beyond measure.

Jo Ann is survived by her loving children, Teresa (Christopher) Tompkins of New Harmony, Utah, Lori (Ward) Heitmann of Byron, Neb., Daniel (Caren) Eggers of Costa Mesa, Calif., Sheri (Steve) Baxa of Salina, Kan., along with 11 adoring grandchildren, Ryan Howe, Heather Cornett, Kristin Cottam, Jami Kassebaum, Emilie Long, Jennifer Eggers, Bradley Eggers, Grant Eggers, Haley Killough, Drew Baxa and Derek Baxa, 15 great-grandchildren with no.16 and no. 17 on the way.

Jo Ann was preceded in death by her parents; beloved husband, Kenny; grandson, Kyle Andrew Heitmann; one brother, Pastor Robert Johnson; and one sister, Carolyn Gourley.

Jo Ann was born on a farm on the outskirts of Hardy, Neb., on Aug. 3, 1935, to Martin and Zola (Erkenbrack) Johnson. Jo Ann was a middle sibling of three children. She moved several times as a child but eventually settled in Republic, Kan., where she attended school through twelfth grade. She graduated high school in 1953.

On Aug. 25, 1954, Jo Ann married Kenny Eggers of Byron. In 1957, they moved to California where they raised their four children. Some of her jobs over the years included working at JC Penney's and the Chester-Hubbell-Byron School where she was loved by all her students. In 1988, after Kenny retired, they moved back to Nebraska. Their final home was Chester, Neb.

Jo Ann was beautiful, inside and out. She had a lovely voice and loved to sing and play the piano. She was an amazing cook and enjoyed preparing meals for her family and guests including real fried chicken and her special cinnamon rolls. Her hands were hardly ever still working in her garden and yard, sewing, crocheting and canning. She also loved her church and participated in several activities there over the years.

Her funeral will be held at 1 p.m., today, (Thursday), Dec. 30, at St. John Lutheran Church in Chester, Neb., conducted by, Pastor Robert Hopkins.

Interment will be in Chester Cemetery, Chester, Neb.

The family requests in lieu of flowers memorials can be made to the Jo Ann Eggers Memorial Fund.

The casket remained closed. Friends called from 1 to 7 p.m., Wednesday, Dec. 29, to sign the register book at Bachelor-Surber Funeral Home, Belleville, Kan.

Special thanks to the many kind caregivers at the Lighthouse Memory Support Residence in Marysville, Kan.

Online condolences and information at http://www.bachelor-surber.com .

Bachelor-Surber Funeral Home, Belleville, Kan., was in charge of arrangements.