Joanne Legore

Joanne Legore, the daughter of Lloyd and Yvonne (Briner) Toliver, was born Aug. 1, 1932, in Greene County and passed from this life on Feb. 27 at her rural farm home near Churdan surrounded by her family.

She lived a full life to the age of 88 years, six months and 21 days.

Joanne attended school in Churdan and graduated from Churdan High School in 1950. She then attended Cedar Falls Teacher’s College, received her teaching certificate and taught elementary grades and substituted in several area schools. 

On June 14, 1953, Joanne Toliver was united in marriage to Darrell Legore at the First Baptist Church in Churdan. Three daughters were born to this union.

After their marriage, they lived in Churdan and, in the fall of 1954, they moved to a farm east of Churdan and started farming and raising their daughters. When Darrell’s parents moved into Churdan in 1960, Darrell and Joanne moved to his parents’ farm, where they have since made their home.

Both Joanne and Darrell were very active members of the First Baptist Church of Churdan. Joanne served on various church boards, taught Sunday school and led youth groups. 

She loved to read and served on the Churdan Library board for more than 40 years. She enjoyed working in the yard and Darrell’s garden, but was possibly best known for her quilting.

Joanne was also an avid fan of all sports, particularly basketball. She attended countless games watching her daughters, grandchildren, nieces, nephews and others play. She loved to travel, especially with her family, and had visited all 50 states as well as making several international trips. 

Joanne is survived by her three loving daughters: Renaye Lindgren, of Churdan; Rochelle (Dr. Thomas Fagg) Guess, of Jefferson; and Angela (David) Fatka, of Paton; six grandchildren: Amanda (Lindgren) Helms, Nathan Guess, Tricia (Lindgren) Loeffler, Dr. Cara (Guess) Sawyer, Lucas Fatka, Callie (Fatka) Ayers; seven step-grandchildren: Marissa (Sergio) Romero, Alyssa (Mak) Zachajasz, John Fagg, Stephen Fagg, Thomas Fagg, Blake Fagg and Blaine Fagg; 15 great-grandchildren; two sisters: Jeanne Wiederin and Janice (Charles) Paup, both of Churdan; sisters-in-law Donna Hyland, of Utah; Teena Toliver, of Churdan; and Lois Curtis, of Jefferson; exchange student Jon (Janny) Kravetz and their children (Jacob, Rebecca, Hannah), of Boston; and many nieces and nephews, all of whom she loved.

Those who preceded her in death were her parents; husband Darrell in July of 2018; brother Ron Toliver; son-in-law Brent Lindgren; and brothers-in-law Marty Wiederin, Charles Curtis and Phillip Hyland.

A celebration of Joanne’s life was held March 6 at the First Baptist Church in Churdan with Pastor David Arulnathan officiating.

Musical selections “When the Roll is Called Up Yonder” and “Mansion Over the Hilltop” were sung by the congregation and accompanied by organist Matt Schutt.

Burial was made in the Highland Twp. Cemetery in Churdan.

Serving as casket bearers were Nathan Guess, Lucas Fatka, James Helms, Jamie Loeffler, Todd Sawyer and Jon Ayers. 

Assisting the family was the Brown Funeral Home of Jefferson.

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Jefferson, IA 50129

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