Hessenius, Joann Ruth

Joann Ruth Hessenius, 83, died Thursday, July 30, 2009, at Virginia Gay Nursing & Rehab in Vinton following an extended illness. Funeral Services:

10 a.m. Tuesday at Wesley United Methodist Church in Vinton, with Rev. Karen Larson officiating. Interment: Evergreen Cemetery in Vinton. Friends may call at Phillips Funeral Home Chapel, 212 E. Sixth St., Vinton, from 4 to 7 p.m. on Monday. A Memorial Fund has been established.

Joann was born July 6, 1926, in Vinton to Fred and Laura Mae (Pauley) Braginton; and graduated from Vinton's Lincoln High School in 1944. On Dec. 25, 1946, she was united in marriage to John Hessenius in Vinton. He preceded her in death in 1966.

Joann was employed as secretary and bookkeeper for Elwick Electric and in the Food Service Department of the Iowa Braille & Sight Saving School. A member of Wesley United Methodist Church, she was a member of the church and community choirs. She also had been a member of Sweet Adelines.

She is survived by her son, John (Ann) Hessenius of Waterloo; her daughters, Nancy (Dann) Albert and Becky Hessenius, all of Vinton; her grandchildren, Stephanie Robinson, Alleshia Hessenius, Jill (Blake) Henkle, Amanda Albert; four great-grandchildren, Kelsey Mahood, Kamryn Robinson, Karli Robinson and Hayden Henkle; her brother, Fred Braginton of Sun City, Calif.; and her sister-in-law, Pat Hessenius of Vinton.

In addition to her parents and husband, John, she was preceded in death by her daughter, Judy; and five sisters.