Moss, Joann

Joann M. Moss, 85, of Iowa City, died Thursday, Jan. 2, 2014, while visiting family in Austin, Texas. Funeral services will be held at 11 a.m. Thursday, Jan. 9, at Gay & Ciha Funeral and Cremation Service in Iowa City, where there will be visitation from 4 to 7 p.m. Wednesday. Entombment in the mausoleum will be at Memory Gardens Cemetery. Following the funeral services, a reception for family and friends will be held at the First United Methodist Church in Iowa City. (Sunday parking ordinance will be in effect for the streets near the church.)

Memorial donations can be made in Joann's memory to The Multiple Myeloma Research Foundation, www.themmrf.org.

Online condolences may be sent for her family through the web at www.gayandciha.com.

Joann Martha Paulus was born Jan. 16, 1928, in Iowa City, the daughter of Joseph Pisha and Lucy Gertrude (Carberry) Paulus. Growing up in rural Iowa City, she attended a one room school until high school, then attended City High School graduating as valedictorian. She then attended the State University of Iowa in Iowa City, graduating in three years with a B.A. degree in English. She married Eldon Moss on Feb. 14, 1950, at the First United Methodist Church in Iowa City. Eldon and Joann were dairy farmers with Eldon's parents for many years on the Moss Family Farm located on North Dubuque Road, eventually taking over the operation they shared with Eldon's dad. Eldon died on June 30, 1999, and Joann and her family continued to live in their home.

She was a 60 year plus member of the First United Methodist Church, a member of Eastern Star, a long time poll worker for the Johnson County Auditor's Office and a very active member in the American and Iowa Guernsey Breeders Associations along with her husband.

Her family includes her children, Gary Moss (Susan) of Milwaukee, Wis., Rebecca Miller (Dale Webner) of Weston, Fla., Rachel Moss of Iowa City, Glenn Moss (Lynne) of Austin, Texas and Melissa Moss (Paul Dickens, special friend) of Iowa City; five grandchildren, Bryan Moss, Robby Moss, Tyler Webner, Michaela Moss and Sarah Moss; her brother, the Rev. Richard Paulus (Ellyn) of West Branch; her brother-in-law, Bud Barnes of Iowa City, and an extended loving family.

Joann was preceded in death by her parents; husband, Eldon; sister, Barbara Barnes; brother, Robert Paulus; and sister-in-law, Sonya Paulus.

Gay & Ciha Funeral and Cremation Services is caring for Joann's family and her services.