Memorial

Joanne McKechnie Oftedahl, 94, of Cedar Rapids, died on November 4, 2021, at St. Luke’s Hospital in Cedar Rapids. Joanne lived at Prairie Hills Assisted Living for her last 5 years, preceded by 25 years in Walford.

Born September 5, 1927, at home on a farm near Fairfax, Joanne attended a one-room schoolhouse in Benton County, graduating from Atkins High School in 1944. She married Ervin Oftedahl in 1945. They were married for 66 years and enjoyed traveling together, spending many warm winters in Florida and Arizona. 

Joanne founded the Let’s Sew Club, which existed for 65 years, and was a member of Doll Club, Heirloom Quilters, Red Hatters, Embroidery Guild, and Sons of Norway. She was a member of Trinity Lutheran Church in Norway/Walford, Evangelical Lutheran Church Women, and Christian Women’s Group.

Joanne was a cheerful person who loved being with family and friends. She was a fantastic baker, and her family looked forward to her homemade Norwegian kumla dumplings every Christmas.

Her passion for quilting led her to donate hundreds of quilts to children’s homes, veterans, and women’s shelters. She also enjoyed knitting caps for newborns at St. Luke's Hospital.

Joanne was loved by many and lived life to the fullest.

She was preceded in death by her husband Ervin in 2012, parents Marcus and Margaret (Hansen) McKechnie, brother Richard (Pauline) McKechnie, and brother William (Betty) McKechnie. 

Joanne is survived by her daughters, Connie Frame of Cedar Rapids, Diane (Ned) Miller of Huxley, and Julie Flores of Dysart. Grandchildren: Heath Rinderknecht, Whitney Frame (Shane), Zak Frame (Carrie), Josh (Cory) Miller, Derek (Nicole) Miller, Blake (Kaela Bemis) Flores, Ian (Erin) Flores, Haley (Drew) Peeler, and 19 great grandchildren. 

Services: 11:00 am Thursday, November 11, 2021, at Trinity Lutheran Church in Walford with visitation prior to the service from 9:30-11:00 am. Private family burial at the Norway Cemetery.

Sympathy cards and memorials may be directed to Trinity Lutheran Church, Re: Joanne Oftedahl, 805 Hwy 151, Walford, IA 52351.