V. JoAnn Dean Kehr, 89 of Elkhart, passed away Wednesday, Dec. 30, 2020, at Eastlake Nursing Home, Elkhart.  

She was born Nov. 19, 1931, in Etna Green, to Paul and Hazel Pippen Dean.  On May 25, 1952, she married Wallace “Wally” M. Kehr.

Surviving is her husband, Wallace “Wally” M. Kehr, of Goshen; daughter, Karen (Charles Bower) Kehr, of Goshen; four grandchildren: Ryan (Melissa Medich) Friesen, of Santa Ana, Calif.; Darin (Debbie Sensenich) Friesen, of St. Louis, Mo.; Megan (Jason) Linstromberg, of Fort Wayne; and Jordan Friesen, of South Bend; two stepgrandchildren: Laura (Mike Pelton) Wright, of Elkhart; and Susan (Eric Anderson) Bower, of South Bend; five great-grandchildren: Alexis Wright, Ethan Linstromberg, Parker Friesen, Calvin Friesen and Emma Linstromberg.

She was preceded in death by her parents; brother, Richard Dean; and sister, Diane (Dean) Rhine.

JoAnn was a former member of First Baptist Church, Warsaw, where she was baptized. She was a secretary for Brunk Corp, formerly Bartow Cartage, and retired after 35 years. She was a member for over 50 years of the Modern Homemakers Elkhart County Extension Service and a member of DUV (Daughters of Union Veterans).  She loved to garden, read, take care of her dog Annie and spend time with her family.

There will be a memorial service at a later date.

Burial will be at West Goshen Cemetery.

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Memorial contributions can be given to the Elizabeth Douglas Thorne AAUW Scholarship. Donations can be made online at InspiringGood.org/give-online or via check. Checks should be made out to the Community Foundation of Elkhart County (CFEC) and mailed to 300 Nibco Parkway, Ste. 301, Elkhart, IN 46516. The scholarship fund should be noted in the memo line.

Rieth Rohrer Ehret Funeral Home is in charge of arrangements and online condolences can be submitted at www.rrefh.com.