Joanna E. Lizbeth, 80, of Marion, Iowa, passed away peacefully on Feb. 21, 2025, surrounded by loved ones.
Joanna was born Sept. 20, 1944, to Wesley and Mabel Jackson, and raised on the family farm in Luck, Wisconsin. She was the middle child in a family of five siblings and a cherished close-knit extended family. She attended Oak Hill and Luck schools.
Following high school, Joanna trained as a hairdresser in Milwaukee, Wisconsin. Her natural creativity fostered a beauty career that extended to Missouri, Colorado and Iowa. Eventually settling in Iowa, she became an instructor at Paris Beauty Academy in Cedar Rapids. Always with an entrepreneurial spirit, she owned and operated several businesses and also served on the Marion Planning and Zoning Committee. With an eye for curating treasures and her commitment for sustainability within the community, Joanna opened Sequel, a consignment store in Marion, Iowa.
Joanna was passionate about her spirituality and holistic healing. This manifested in a new career path as a certified massage therapist through the Carlson School of Massage Therapy, Cedar Rapids. She opened a sudio in her home called Therapeutic Arts, which she operated for many years. She also served The Sisters of Mercy Convent as a massage therapist, where she formed a close bond with the nuns. This was a deeply fulfilling experience, both personally and professionally, in her relationship with the sisters. She later became an instructor at the Carlson School of Massage where she had originally trained. Joanna earned certifications as a Reiki master, cranio sacral therapist and other healing modalities. Always seeking higher learning and enlightenment.
Coming from a musical family, Joanna showed a natural gift from an early age with voice and instrument. Any instrument! Growing up with piano and guitar at home, then drums, saxophone and ensemble in high school, she excelled. Give her an instrument and she could likely play it. Family gatherings were always musical events. In earlier years Joanna played guitar professionally with The Echo Mountain Boys Bluegrass Band in Iowa.
A lifelong seeker of meaning, Joanna had a deep love for reading about ancient history, exploring spiritual philosophies, tending to her garden, painting, jewelry making and expressing herself through art and creativity. She will be remembered for her thoughtful nature, independent spirit and care for others. Some of our most favorite times spent together were holidays or simply enjoying coffee on her deck by her little pond or at her kitchen table always guaranteed wonderful conversation.
Beloved mother, grandmother, great-grandmother and friend, Joanna is survived by her children, Tamra and Brian Dee, Christopher and Annette Petersen and Daniel and Felicia Petersen; her grandchildren, Aaron Abodeely, Joshua Abodeely, Rachel Dee Price, Jaxson Petersen and Harley Petersen; and great-grandchildren, Oliver Price and Damien Price.
She was preceded in death by her parents, Mabel and Wesley Jackson; and siblings, Myron Jackson, Loueen Wikstrom and Lois Petersen. She is survived by her sister, Joyce Spafford; sister-in-law, Anne Jackson; many nieces, nephews, cousins, and special friends and family.
A Celebration of Life for Joanna will be held on Sept. 20 (her birthday) at Laketown Lutheran Church, Cushing, Wisconsin, 54006, at 2:00 p.m. Followed by a reception at the fellowship hall.
