A Wonderful life well lived

JoAnn passed away peacefully on March 25th, 2017 in Tacoma, WA at the age of 86. She was born November 23rd, 1930 in Roundup, Montana to George and Sylvia Buermann. The family moved to Eatonville, WA where she grew up on the family chicken farm. She had a wonderful childhood surrounded by many friends and family and truly loved Eatonville and especially Mt. Rainier. JoAnn was active in Band, Rainbow Girls, and graduated from Eatonville High School in 1948.
She moved to Tacoma and went to work at Weyerhauser as a secretary. It was at an Ohop Grange dance where she and husband Jim fell in love. Jim was hired by United Airlines in San Francisco in April of 1951 and they married October 18th, 1951, a marriage that lasted for 65 plus years. They eventually bought a lot in Federal Way, WA and built their home where they both lived until her death. In 1955, her first son Jeff was born and in 1963, her second son Guy was born. She enjoyed being active in her boy's lives and especially being involved in all their school and sports events. She returned to work working for several banks in Federal Way.
She loved music, both singing and playing. She sang with many groups over the years and especially enjoyed singing in the St. Vincent De Paul church choir. She also played piano, organ, clarinet, saxophone, and banjo. She played with New Horizons, Tacoma Banjo Band, and the Puyallup Concert Band. She also loved travelling as often as possible and did so throughout the U.S. and all over the globe. JoAnn was passionate about her Seahawks, Mariners and Sonics. She was the homer of all homers reveling with each victory and agonizing every loss. She was happy that both grandchildren are at the University of Washington so she could cheer along her Huskies too.
She loved gardening and kept a fantastic yard full of flowers, especially dahlias, and also a wonderful vegetable garden with many plants grown in her own greenhouse. Her many dogs, over the years, were special to her and she loved and spoiled them all. She loved volunteering and spending time with all her friends at Church and the senior center. JoAnn cared for people and touched many lives, she is loved, and will be missed.
JoAnn is preceded in death by her parents and her brother Bob. JoAnn is survived by her husband Jim, sons Jeff, Guy (Melissa), grandchildren Megan, Robbie, sister-in-law Margie Buermann, and brother-in-law John Bernovich. A Catholic funeral mass will be at St. Vincent DePaul Parish in Federal Way, WA, Thursday, April 6, 2017, 11am with a reception to follow. Cascade Funeral Home is handling her arrangements and JoAnn will be laid to rest at Tahoma National Cemetery.