Joann Beebinger

JoAnn Beebinger, 74, a resident of Bettendorf, peacefully passed away on Sunday, January 31, 2011, at Iowa Masonic Health Facility in Bettendorf. Her funeral service will be held at 11:00 A.M. on Friday, February 4, 2011 at the McGinnis-Chambers Funeral Chapel in Bettendorf. She will be laid to rest at Davenport Memorial Park. Visitation will be from 4:00 P.M. to 7:00 P.M. Thursday at the funeral home.

The family would like to extend their gratitude to the staff at Iowa Masonic Health Facilities and Jersey Ridge Place for their kind and compassionate care of JoAnn during her battle with Alzheimer’s disease.

JoAnn Jess, was born October 15, 1936 in Davenport, Iowa, to Arno and Marian (Spring) Jess. On October 18, 1961, she was united in marriage to Edward C. Beebinger in Preston, Minnesota.

JoAnn was a graduate of Davenport High School and was employed in the Accounts Payable Department of Wonder/Hostess Bakery of Davenport retiring in 1999 after 43 years of faithful service.

JoAnn will be deeply missed by her husband of 49 years, Eddie, daughter Lisa and son-in-law Doug Hradek of Bettendorf, grandson Eric Hradek, her sister Judy and husband Jerry Makoben of Davenport, sister Barbara Cosby of Bettendorf and sister-in-law Joan Moore of New Albany, IN. JoAnn has also several nieces and nephews. Also left to honor her memory is Susie Bolwar of Bettendorf, JoAnn’s best friend for over 40 years.

JoAnn was a creative and artistic person who loved gardening, antiques, decorating and especially Christmas and all its splendor. She was affectionately known by her family as the “Christmas Queen.” She looked forward to the holiday season when she lovingly decorated every room in her home in the true spirit of Christmas. JoAnn was also a gifted artist in her younger years. She excelled in drawing portraits, people and especially horses, which she loved. JoAnn loved people and enjoyed talking with everyone. As they say, she never met a stranger. She had a kind and generous heart and always thought of others first. JoAnn also enjoyed music, and was a big fan of Yanni and Neil Diamond, attending several of their concerts. Next to her family, JoAnn loved all of her many dogs she had over the years, many of them rescues. JoAnn and Eddie also enjoyed taking long rides in the country in his “little red Corvette”.

Her parents preceded her in death.

Contributions in her memory may be made to the Alzheimer’s Association.