Joann and her younger brother, Jerry, grew up in Clyde, a small farming community in northeastern Kansas. Joann graduated from Clyde High School in 1950. While attending Clyde High School, Joann was a Majorette, Cheerleader and Homecoming Queen. Following graduation, she worked in the office of Billups & Vonlehe Truck Line and Excavating Company and later attended Kansas State University. On November 27, 1952, Joann married Eddie LaVerne Turner, and they were blessed with three children, Debra, Greg and Tracy. Joann and Eddie eventually moved to Beatrice, NE where they established Turner Floor Covering. After Joann and Eddie separated in 1964, Joann and her three children relocated to Lincoln where she continued to work in the floor covering business for many years.
On August 29, 1971, Joann married Arvid Lee Barth, and they merged their two families into one. Family members include Joann’s children Debra, Greg and Tracy, and Arvid’s children Kevin and Deborah Kay (and Samantha, the family dog). In addition to being a full-time mom for five teenagers, Joann helped Arvid run his insurance business for several years.
Joann took great pride and pleasure in having a wonderful family and friends, all of whom she dearly loved and appreciated. Joann was active in the Community Women’s Club for 25 years and had the privilege of serving as its President in 2000. Joann and Arvid were active members of St. Mark’s United Methodist Church in Lincoln. Joann’s favorite activities included golf, travel, ballroom dancing and clogging!
Joann is survived by her brother, Jerry Donnelly; children: Debra Turner-Schleining (Don), Dr. Gregory Turner (Sharon), Tracy Turner (Cheryl), Kevin Barth (Sheila), Deborah Kay Barth-Cunning (Bruce); grandchildren: Christopher Hinton, Kelly Braswell-Burbach, Jenny Turner, Eddie Turner (Kari), Nicole Fleming (Mike), Ashlee McCord (Brad), Taylor Turner (Emily), Adam Barth (Alysia), Joshua Barth (Emily), Cameron Cunning (Angelina), Crystal Berner (Scott); great grandchildren: Emma Braswell, Turner Burbach, Norah Turner, Kaitlyn Fleming, Leah Fleming, Jessie Fleming, Trae McCord, Tyler McCord, Scarlett Turner, Eva Turner, Lyle Barth, Willis Barth, Henry Barth, Cooper Barth, Adley Barth, Ava Barth, Tony Wright, Emilia Wright, Theodore Cunning, Caleb Berner, Kaden Berner, Tessa Berner, Tynleigh Berner; niece Tara Voogt (Jason); and great nephews Jackson, Spencer and Everett Voogt. Joann is predeceased by her parents Tom and Eva Donnelly, stepfather Cyrus Billups, husband Eddie Turner, husband Arvid Barth, niece Lisa Donnelly, and sister-in-law Ileene Donnelly.
Services to be held at St. Mark’s United Methodist Church, 8550 Pioneers Boulevard, Lincoln, NE on Wednesday, May 21st at 11:00 am.
Visitation: One hour prior to service time at the church.
In lieu of flowers, memorials to: St. Mark’s United Methodist Church Foundation, 8550 Pioneers Blvd., Lincoln, NE
Livestreaming will be provided at https://www.stmarks.org/live-stream