JoAnn Raesly, age 92, of Howard, passed away Tuesday, September 8, 2026 at her home under hospice care. Funeral Services will be, 10:30 AM, Saturday, September 12, at Bethany Lutheran Church in Howard. Visitation will be one hour preceding the service. Burial will follow at Pleasant View Cemetery in Carthage.

JoAnn was born in Chicago, Ill. on Jan. 11, 1934 to Elsie Sundstrom. She moved to a farm south of Artesian to live with her grandparents, Helen & Otto Sundstrom.

A year later, her cousin Gene came to live too. They grew up together playing and doing their chores. JoAnn attended two country schools and then went to high school two years in Artesian and two years in Fedora, graduating in 1952.

She worked for room and board through high school and college. She attended one year of college in Madison, securing a teaching certificate. She taught at two country schools.

She married Dean Kramer in 1953 and to this union seven children were born. She worked at various jobs, working the longest at Ravens for 25 years as she liked to sew. She also liked dancing, music, games, cards, and having coffee with her friends.

She married John Raesly in 1983 and spent the next 30 years in Carthage. John passed away in 2013 and JoAnn moved to Howard to be near her kids. Her family, extended family and friends were very important to her.

She is survived by her daughter Lizabeth (Lon) Gatton of Colorado; five sons; Douglas; Kim & Thomas of Howard; Brian (Bette) of Madison; Mark (Barb) of Kansas; one daughter in law, Kay of Howard; 2 stepchildren, Brad Raesly of Madison and Lorraine Windenburg of Rapid City; 8 grandchildren; 3 step-grandchildren; 17 great-grandchildren.

She was preceded in death by son Steven and husband John.

She enjoyed many things, but most of all she enjoyed her friends & family.

In lieu of flowers, memorials may be directed to Bethany Lutheran Church.