Joann Groat

August 26, 1935 - May 2, 2020

Joann Groat, 84, of Fort Dodge, died May 2, 2020 at Friendship Haven. A family prayer service will be held 3:00 p.m. Thursday, May 7, followed by public visitation (socially distanced) from 4:00 – 7:00 p.m. at Gunderson Funeral Home and Cremation Services. Funeral procession will gather at 10:00 a.m. Friday, May 8, 2020 at Gunderson Funeral Home with graveside service to be held 10:30 a.m. Friday at North Lawn Cemetery. A Celebration of Life service will be scheduled for a later date at Grace Lutheran Church. Joann Kathryn Swanson was born August 26, 1935 in Fort Dodge. She graduated from Fort Dodge Senior High in 1953 and attended Gustavus Adolpus College in St. Peter, MN. On June 17, 1955 she was united in marriage to Myron Groat. Joann was employed with Burch Manufacturing and Sears. The couple owned and operated ABC Lawn Care. She was a member of Grace Lutheran Church. She was active in the community being involved in PEO, Questors, Fort Dodge Area Symphony board, Fort Dodge Alumni Assoc., Trinity Regional Auxiliary, Red Hat Society, Birthday Group and Church Circle. She enjoyed antique shopping and playing cards. Always one to love jewelry and watches, she loved giving her loved ones watches and cherished time spent with family. Joann is survived by her husband of 65 years Myron; her children Julie (Robert) Tarbox of Ames, Mark (Shelli) Groat of Otho, and Michael Groat of Davenport; grandchildren Tony Tarbox, Todd Tarbox, Matthew Groat, Jody Tarbox and Tiffany Groat; step-grandchildren, Shannon Crouse, Christina Crouse, and Ryan Johnson; great granddaughter Jacey Steinkuehler and great grandson baby boy Bishop on the way; her brothers Jerry (Mary Clare) Moen of Des Moines and Jim Moen of Palm Springs, CA. She was preceded in death by her parents, Bernice and Harold Moen, William Swanson. In lieu of flowers, memorials may be directed to Grace Lutheran Church.