JoAnn Marie Heesch, 80, of Elkton, SD, passed away Thursday, November 22, 2018 at the Dougherty Hospice House in Sioux Falls. JoAnn was born February 9, 1938 to Orville and Marvel (Munsch) Bartelt at her grandparent's farm in Lincoln County, MN. She attended St. Mary's Catholic School in Elkton and graduated from Elkton Public School. JoAnn married her high school sweetheart, Charles "Chuck" Heesch on April 21, 1956. They lived on their farm west of Elkton for 62 ½ years. JoAnn had various jobs throughout her life with her last job being at Thrifty White Drug in Brookings, SD. She was a people person striking up a conversation with everyone she met. JoAnn was a member of Our Lady of Good Counsel Catholic Church and Altar Society. She enjoyed baking, sewing, decorating Christmas cookies, baking bread and crocheting baby blankets for all of her great-grandchildren. JoAnn enjoyed watching her children and grandchildren play sports, often losing her voice yelling. Music was very important to her and family and faith were first and foremost. JoAnn was the Pioneer Woman, patient number 001, for a new cancer research study which she was extremely proud that she could participate in.

JoAnn is survived by her husband Chuck, Elkton; six children, Charleen (Dale) Bowne, White, SD; Jeff (Kelly) Heesch, Watertown, SD; Bob (Nancy) Heesch, Sioux Falls, SD; Laura Armstrong, Rapid City, SD; Brad (Buffy) Heesch, Watertown, SD; Gayle (Curt) Krogman, Elkton, SD; 17 grandchildren, 23 great-grandchildren; one sister-in-law, Bev Ehret, Wilmar, MN; one aunt, Eunice Kinsman, FL; and many nieces, nephews and cousins. JoAnn was preceded in death by her great-grandson, Logan Saunders, parents, and three siblings, Dick, Gene and Carole.

The family prefers memorials for them to use in JoAnn's memory for cancer patients and their families.

Mass of Christian Burial will be 10:30 a.m. Wednesday, November 28, 2018 at Our Lady of Good Counsel Catholic Church, Elkton, with burial in St Mary's Catholic Cemetery. Visitation will be 4:30 – 6:30 p.m. Tuesday with a 6:30 p.m. rosary at the church.