JoAnne Louise (Muhlenbruch) Mills

JoAnne Louise Mills, 83, of Iowa Falls, Iowa passed away Friday, February 22, 2019 at Trinity Center at Luther Park in Des Moines, Iowa.

JoAnne was born December 19, 1935 to George W. Muhlenbruch and Alvina (Pralle) Muhlenbruch of Latimer, Iowa.  She graduated from Franklin Consolidated High School (CAL Community High School) in 1954.  On May 20, 1959, she married Lewis (Erwin) Mills of Iowa Falls.  The couple was blessed with two daughters, and were married for 23 years before Erwin’s passing in February 1983.

JoAnne was a homemaker and helped Erwin with the operation of the farm and the dairy herd.  Her second career later in life was at the Red Rooster Grill in Iowa Falls, where she worked for over 20 years before retiring in 2011.  JoAnne enjoyed gardening and puttering around in her flower beds, cooking, and entertaining.  She loved spending time with her large extended family, and many friends and neighbors.

JoAnne is survived by her two daughters, Heidi Hampton and husband John of Winfield, Iowa, and Janet Mills-Cavin and husband Mike Cavin of Urbandale, Iowa; granddaughters, Kristin Mills of Des Moines, Iowa, and Carly Hodges of Eldora, Iowa; grandson, Timothy Hodges and wife Olivia, and great-grandson, Theodore, all of Breese, Illinois.  She is also survived by her brother, Fred Muhlenbruch of Hampton, Iowa, and sisters-in-law, Melba Muhlenbruch of Hampton, Iowa, and Sharon Muhlenbruch of Clear Lake, Iowa; as well as many special nieces and nephews.

JoAnne was preceded in death by her parents, her husband, Erwin, her brother Howard Muhlenbruch, sisters Alice Stock and Frances Meyer, and brothers-in-law Loren Stock and Alvin Meyer.

The family would like to thank all the staff members at Trinity Center at Luther Park and Care Initiatives Hospice for the care and compassion that was extended to JoAnne.

Funeral services will be held at 1:30 pm on Saturday March 2nd at Immanuel Lutheran Church, 313 Lee Lane, Iowa Falls, Iowa.  In lieu of flowers, memorials may be directed to Immanuel Lutheran Church, 313 Lee Lane, Iowa Falls, Iowa 50126 or Care Initiatives Hospice, 7055 Vista Drive, West Des Moines, Iowa 50266. Linn’s Funeral Home is helping the family with arrangements.   

To send flowers to the family, please visit our floral store.