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Joann Wacha

Joann Kay Wacha, 81, of Toledo, passed away Sunday, October 24, 2021 under the care of the Iowa River Hospice Home in Marshalltown. A Mass of Christian Burial will be held Friday, October 29, 2021 at 10:00 AM at St. Patrick Catholic Church in Tama with Father Michael McAndrew as celebrant. Interment will follow at Woodlawn Cemetery in Toledo. Visitation will be held Thursday, October 28, 2021, from 5-7 PM at Kruse-Phillips Funeral Home in Tama.

Joann was born on December 28, 1939, in Grinnell, Iowa, the daughter of Joseph and Maude (Mochal) Chyma.

She graduated from Tama High School.

On April 4, 1959, she was united in marriage to Roger “Rick” Wacha Sr. at the St. Patrick’s Rectory in Tama. They lived in rural Toledo on the Wacha family farm where they raised their three children. She was a farm wife and homemaker. For several years she raised chickens. Every year Joann would plant a huge garden and then can vegetables and freeze sweet corn. She always had an overabundance of tomatoes and sweet corn. Joann would also pick apples and strawberries from Hinegardners Orchard. She helped Rick with the farming operation working with cattle and during planting and harvest season. The farm had reached Century Farm status, established in 1898.

In retirement, Joann and Rick enjoyed stopping at the Toledo Farmers Market and watching Polka bands, especially Barefoot Becky! They always enjoyed visiting with their grandchildren and great-grandchildren and going to their ball games. They also traveled to Missouri for several summers. Joann enjoyed the simple things in life, enjoying the scenery around the farm.

Joann was a member of St. Patrick Catholic Church in Tama and a member of St. Patrick’s CCW. She also served on the funeral committee serving meals and making desserts.

Survivors include her three children; Roger Lynn (Joanne) Wacha of Toledo, Gregg (Deb) Wacha of Tama, and Cheryl Wacha (Dale Kreiss) of Toledo; four grandchildren and four great-grandchildren with another due this month, Tony Wacha, Brian (Kaiyla) Wacha – Brinley, Karsen and Emry, Derek Wacha, and Ashton Wacha (Tyler Cizek) – Quinnlyn and Baby #2; sister-in-law, Mary Chyma; along with several nieces and nephews.

Preceding her in death were her parents; her husband, Rick in 2020; two brothers, Paul Chyma Sr. and Lloyd (Myona) Chyma; one sister, Evelyn Chyma; her sisters-in-law, Evelyn (Olin) Bidwell, Marie Wacha, Lucille (Roy) Jacobsen, Genevieve (Frank) Iezek and Bernice (Bill) Higginbotham; and a brother-in-law, James (Shirley) Wacha.

A memorial fund will be established.