JOANN IRENE FRENCH beloved wife, mother, grandmother, sister and friend passed away Thursday, August 9, 2007, at Burgess Health Center in Onawa, Iowa.  She was welcomed into heaven by our Lord Savior Jesus Christ and her parents.

Joann was the youngest child of Paul and Martha (Austin) Haeffner. She was born March 20, 1940 in Summersville, Missouri. She grew up in the Decatur area and graduated from Decatur High School in 1957.

Joann and Larry French were united in marriage on May 16, 1958, at the Trinity Lutheran Church in Decatur. Larry and Joann made their home in rural Decatur before buying and operating French’s Food Market in Decatur.

She was a member of the Trinity Lutheran Church and Lutheran Ladies Aid in Decatur.

Joann loved Husker football and volleyball, the Chicago Cubs, playing cards and spending time with her family and friends.

She was preceded in death by her parents.

Survivors include her husband: Larry of Decatur; daughters and sons-in-law: Mary and Brad Baker , Jeanne  and Brian Micek all of Columbus, Nebraska, Kathy  and Dennis Mussack, Patti  and Carl Taylor II all of Decatur; ten grandchildren:  Jennie Baker Carda and her husband, Jim, Bryan Baker, Jill Mussack Talman and her husband, John, Tim Mussack and his fiancée, Brandi Daberkow, all of Lincoln, Nebraska, Pvt. Carl Taylor III serving in Baghdad, Iraq, Becky Taylor of Decatur, Jordan Pinion, Evan, Cayden and Griffin Micek all of Columbus; one great granddaughter: Liah Irene Taylor of Decatur; brothers and sister-in-law: Don and Myrtle Haeffner of Lyons, Nebraska, Dwayne Haeffner and Barb Maslonka of Decatur; many nieces, nephews, cousins and a host of friends.

FUNERAL SERVICE:  Monday, August 13, 2007, 10:30 a.m., Trinity Lutheran Church, Walthill, NE.

BURIAL:  Hillcrest Cemetery, Decatur, NE.

VISITATION: Sunday 1- 8 p.m. with family receiving friends from 6 – 8 p.m. at Pelan Funeral Home in Tekamah and Monday at the church one hour prior to the service.

MEMORIALS:  To the Family.