Joan Lichter

Joan Lichter, 87, of Holstein, formerly of Storm Lake, died peacefully on Sunday, March 28, 2021 at Good Samaritan Society-Holstein. Funeral Mass will be held on Tuesday, April 6, at 10:30 a.m. at St. Mary's Catholic Church in Storm Lake. Masks are required for all guests in attendance at the church. To watch the live stream of the service, click the link- https://bit.ly/31uzvsK and enter in the password: funeral. Burial will be in St. Columbkille Catholic Cemetery in Varina. Visitation will take place on Monday, April 5, from 5-8 p.m. at Fratzke & Jensen Funeral Home in Storm Lake. In lieu of flowers, the family requests memorials be given to Holstein Good Samaritan Society at 505 W. 2nd St., Holstein, IA 51025. Joan Marie (Howell) Lichter was born in her grandparents’ farmhouse, Waveland Township, Elliott, on May 30, 1933 to James Clayton and Marian (Wilson) Howell. Joan was born in the same bedroom where her mother was born. Joan was baptized into the Christian faith at St. Mary’s Catholic Church in Griswold, and was confirmed at the Catholic Church in Red Oak. Her childhood included sitting upon her father’s shoulders at a FDR train whistle stop in Red Oak, and missing a year of school due to rheumatic fever. She attended schools in Red Oak and Onawa, graduating from Onawa High School in 1951. She received a full tuition scholarship at the all-girl Briar Cliff College, Sioux City, earning a degree with honors in home economics in 1955. On a visit to Fonda with a college friend, she met Bud Lichter. They were married the next year on April 16, 1955, at MacDill Air Force Base in Tampa, Fla. To this union were born eight children. They lived in many locations, including Holly Springs; Pilger, Neb.; Tampa, Fla.; Newell; Bancroft, Neb.; and Pender, Neb., before finally settling on their own farm outside of Varina in 1969. Throughout those years, Joan taught home economics and English in many schools. She loved running into former students. In 1983, Joan moved with her youngest children to Storm Lake, where she resided until 2017. She worked as a head start cook, a night aide at Faith, Hope & Charity and as a private home care provider. She was a devout member of St. Mary’s Catholic Church, attending daily mass and many funerals. Joan was a prayer warrior, belonging to the St. Mary’s prayer line, and prayed for each of her children every night. She was a member of St. Mary’s quilt group and Catholic Daughters of America, Varina Council. Throughout her life and into her retirement, Joan’s great gift was her creative flair. She was a member of the Quilt Sew-ciety. She completed many projects, sewing clothes and quilts for children and grandchildren. Her pastimes included recording and watching movies, reading, going to TOPS, working crossword puzzles and playing Scrabble. Cats brought her great joy, and she was an unforgettable character who walked her cat around town. Joan embraced her eccentric and social personality. She had a wry and witty sense of humor, yet simultaneously showed great love and compassion to her children, grandchildren and great-grandchildren. Reunions and meetings with Joan were always kicked off with great, expressive joy. Birthdays focused on each person’s unique personality, with her quirky gifts and commentary. Joan was a great family historian, passing along many stories and heirlooms. Joan is survived by her children: John (Cindee) Lichter of Galva; Gam (Leonard) Hill of Leonard, Mo.; Mary Lichter of Long Beach, Calif.; Jim Lichter of Richmond, Va.; Tom (Valerie) Lichter of Newell; Charlie Lichter of Richmond, Va.; Teresa (Steve) Conner of Chesterfield, Va.; and Sharon (Scott) Kahnke of Apple Valley, Minn.; grandchildren are Nick Hesse, Katie (Shannon) Tesch, Daniel (Shateen) Lichter, Emily (Kyle) Sauter, Sarah Lichter, Shaun (Aaron) Murphy-Lopez, Alicia (Jeremy) Jepsen, Maureen Murphy, Rachael (Aaron) Elgas, Kyle Hill, Derrick (Brittany) Hill, Ethan Smith, MaryKate (Andrew) Neal, Jay (Elisa Grotjohn) Lichter, Nathan (Stephanie) Lichter, Andrew (Lauren) Lichter, Audrey (Austin) Buchholz, Rita Lichter, Phillip (Claire) Frazer, Samuel Frazer, Mandy Turner, Zac (Desiree) Conner, Ella Kahnke and Sophie Kahnke. She is also survived by 31 plus 1 on-the-way great-grandchildren; one great-great grandson; sister Angela (Bob) Stuhr; and niece Amy (Doug) Paterson. Ugly the cat survives. She resides in Galva with John and Cindee.