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Joann Orr
JOANN YESSLER ORR
Grinnell
Joann Yessler Orr, 93, of Grinnell, died Tuesday, Jan. 3, 2017, with friends by her side at Mayflower Community Health Care Center in Grinnell. A celebration of her life will be held at 3 p.m. Sunday, Jan. 22, in the Carman Center of the Mayflower Community, 600 Park St., Grinnell. Friends are welcome to gather prior to the service beginning at 2 p.m. Interment will be at Hazelwood Cemetery in Grinnell at a later date as Joann deeded her body to the University of Iowa Carver College of Medicine.
Joann Mathilda Yessler Orr was born in Cedar Rapids, Iowa, on Feb. 10, 1923. She was the only child of Joseph and Gail (Gauby) Yessler. Joann graduated from McKinley High School in 1941. She was president of her senior class, was active in musicals and was a member of the Honor Society. Joann frequently sang at area churches, was active at St. Paul's Methodist Church, and was a Campfire Girl.
Joann served as the Iowa State Senator for the 36th District representing Poweshiek County 1969-1970 and 1972-1980. An archived collection of Joann's activities in the State Senate can be obtained at the University of Iowa Libraries website: http://collguides.lib.uiowa.edu/?IWA0807.
In lieu of flowers, memorials may be designated to the League of Women Voters of Grinnell or Mayflower Community Human Needs Fund and mailed to P.O. Box 278, Grinnell, IA 50112.
Memories and condolences may be shared on the Smith Funeral Home website at www.smithfh.com.
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