Memorial
JoAnn Sturgeon, 95, affectionately known as JoJo or Gigi was reunited with her husband “Steady Eddie” in heaven on Tuesday, July 29, 2025.
JoAnn was born on October 28, 1929 in South English, IA to Oscar and Alma Brubaker. She was the youngest of 3 children. Together with her brother, Verle and her sister, Jean, they shared many special times together. She attended South English School and graduated with 9 other classmates. After graduation, she wanted to leave the small town, so she went to McPherson College in McPherson, KS.
After college, she moved to the ‘big’ city of Cedar Rapids to work for Quaker Oats. JoAnn and her friend, Grace visited the Church of the Brethren one Sunday. JoAnn caught the eye of one of the ushers; who then searched the guestbook to find out her name. However, “Steady Eddie” thought JoAnn’s name was Grace. It all got sorted out and JoAnn and Ed married on November 9, 1951. They enjoyed 58 years of marriage together.
JoAnn and Ed were blessed with 3 children, Debby, Angie and David (who died shortly after birth). JoAnn and Ed were extra blessed with 3 grandchildren, Melissa, Ryan and Matt. JoAnn was again extra blessed with 3 great grandchildren, Eero, Zoe and Levi. Anytime she saw them her eyes would light up!
JoAnn’s eyes – her smile shined through her eyes…
Through good times – Sleeping in her dad’s semitruck’s overhead cab on the way to deliver pigs to Chicago. Helping her mom & sister cook the Thanksgiving meal at the ‘yellow Cape Cod house. She enjoyed movies in Williamsburg with cousins, Roller skating with Steady Eddie, watching her kids & grandkids in any of their activities, trips to Green Lake, Chicago, Hawaii and California, word search puzzles, jigsaws puzzles and playing Kings on the Corner, Reading Secret Place devotionals, Watching and cheering on Iowa Hawkeye Basketball games, family reunions & connecting with people that became family at her facility, cherry pie and mint chocolate chip ice cream (not together), Christmas Eve services, Easter breakfasts and Mother-Daughter Banquets at church.
And through challenging times, her eyes still shined –
JoAnn was diagnosed with epilepsy as a teenager, burns, skin grafts, losing her son David after birth, falls, seizures, medication changes, losing their home and many possessions in the Cedar Rapids flood of 2008, losing Steady Eddie in 2010, being displaced after an apartment fire, breaking a leg and being confined to a wheelchair, being isolated in her room for over a year due to Covid-19 in 2020, losing both her sister, Jean and her daughter, Debby in 2020.
In 2024, battling Covid, influenza & pneumonia and afterwards needing to rely on oxygen. Countless battles with hearing aids (but now you have perfect hearing!)
While some eyes may have stopped shining, JoAnn’s faith in God through good times and challenging times gave her the strength to keep shining. Thank you for your example, Steady Eddie’s bride, sweet momma, JoJo, Gigi; may your light continue to shine on.
JoAnn’s family would like to thank the staff (friends) at Harmony Care Center for their compassionate care over the last six years.
Memorial gifts may be directed to The First Baptist Church-Church of the Brethren or the Epilepsy Foundation.
A memorial service will be held at noon on Tuesday, August 5, 2025, at First Baptist Church – Church of the Brethren on Northland Ave. The family will greet friends before the service beginning at 10:00 am and a luncheon will follow after the service. Private family graveside service will be held at Cedar Memorial Park Cemetery.