Ruth Joanne Lienemann

Joanne Lienemann, 89, went home to be with her Lord and Savior on Sunday, December 1, 2019 at Kavanagh House in Des Moines, IA. Funeral services will be at 11:00 a.m. Saturday, December 7, 2019 at Faith Lutheran Church in Adel with burial following at Trinity Lutheran Cemetery in Van Meter. Family will greet friends Friday, December 6th at Caldwell Parrish Funeral Home – McCalley Chapel in Adel from 4:00 to 7:00 p.m with memory sharing time at 6:30 pm and a prayer service at 7:00 p.m. Ruth Joanne Mullins Lienemann was born in Council Bluffs, Iowa on February 12, 1930, the daughter of Loren and Ruth (BeeBee) Mullins. Ruth used her middle name, Joanne. She graduated from Adel High School as Valedictorian of her class of 1947. Joanne graduated from the University of Northern Iowa with a two year teaching diploma. She also played the clarinet for UNI marching band. Joanne married Donald Lienemann on June 11, 1950. Joanne taught elementary school for the Adel and Dallas Center schools. Joanne graduated from Drake University completing an additional two years of elementary education degree while teaching full time. Joanne served on the Commission on the Status of Women, Drake University’s Displaced Homemaker’s Advisory Board, The Commission of Person’s with Disabilities, and the Iowa Organization of Women for Agriculture’s Uniform Marital Property Act. She also served on the ADM Scholarship Committee. Joanne worked with her husband in their Sale Barn businesses. She worked in the sales industry for Harvestore AO Smith and Wick buildings. Joanne formed the company “A Better Building” and was the first female in the Wick Hall of Fame for her success in sales. Joanne loved her community, church and social involvement. She and her husband Donald were part of the group of parishioners who founded Faith Lutheran Church in Adel. Joanne sang in the church choir for many years. She was active in Adel Rotary Club, Alpha Kappa Gamma, and Questors Club. Left to cherish her memory are her children, Nancy Sullivan, Dianne (Mark) Donelson, Judy (Steve) Kennedy; grandchildren, Sarah (Nick) Bigelow, Justin (Johna) Sullivan, Seth (Allison) Sullivan, Sybil Sullivan, Jessica (Jeremy) Hansmann, Lori (Jason) McGarvie, Zachary (Emily) Kennedy, Mitchell Kennedy; and her brother, Richard (Connie) Mullins. Joanne’s great grandchildren include: Suzanne, Shannon, Jolenne and Siobhan Bigelow; Dakota (Taylor) Sullivan; Sylas, Amelia, Blaise, Wren and Emmanuel Sullivan; Isaac, Mary, Paul and Anna Heilman; William and Jack Hansmann; Kendall and Peyton McGarvie; and Clara, Cassidy and Cadence Kennedy. Joanne was preceded in death by her parents, Ruth and Loren Mullins; her husband, Donald; and her son in law, Stephen Sullivan. The family would like to thank the staff at Beacon Springs Assisted Living and the Kavanagh Hospice House for their care and support. In lieu of flowers, the family requests memorial donations to Faith Lutheran Church, ADM Scholarship Foundation or the Kavanagh House. Arrangements are being handled by Caldwell Parrish Funeral Home – McCalley Chapel in Adel. Online condolences may be left at www.caldwellparrish.com