Joanne Thomsen

Rita Joanne (Render) Thomsen was born August 10, 1928, to Gerald and Doris (Wilson) Render in Modale, Iowa. She was raised near Missouri Valley, and she graduated from Missouri Valley High School in 1945. Joanne met Keith Thomsen while she was working at a restaurant that Keith came into for lunch. The couple got married on September 9, 1946, and lived just west of Portsmouth. They moved to Woodbine in 1991. Keith died on May 29, 1994. Joanne married Darrell Fahrenkrog in August of 2001. He died suddenly in November 2001.

Joanne was a member of the Sacred Heart Catholic Church. She enjoyed square dancing and ballroom dancing, playing cards and going to the casino. Joanne and Keith enjoyed going to Honey Creek to listen to the Big Bands as well as dance the Jitterbug to the music. Keith was a square dance caller and Joanne would teach the men how to two-step and waltz. They both gave lessons to many people. Joanne was a beautiful seamstress and made all of her square dance dresses. Most of all, Joanne loved her family and adored being a mom and grandma. Joanne was called granny by her grandkids and grandma great by her great grandkids. Every Christmas, the granddaughters would get something handsewn by Granny.

Joanne died on Monday, May 21, 2018, at the Rose Vista Nursing Home in Woodbine at the age of 89 years, nine months, and 11 days.

Joanne was preceded in death by her parents; two husbands, Keith Thomsen and Darrell Fahrenkrog; sister, Cel Cleaver; brother, Jerry Render; and grandson, Michael Thomsen. She is survived by three children, Ron Thomsen and his wife Ethel of Logan, Iowa; Vicki and her husband Gary Argotsinger and Cindy and her husband Gary Seda all of Woodbine, Iowa; seven grandchildren; 16 great grandchildren; one great-great granddaughter; sister, Dorothy Glover of Beaver Lake, Nebraska; sister-in-law, Irene Render of Missouri Valley, Iowa; and many other relatives and friends.