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JoAnn Dreher Obituary
She was born on April 6, 1941 the daughter of Peter and Amelia Andes at St. Francis Hospital in Topeka.
JoAnn was baptized into her Catholic Faith at Holy Name Church, where she also attended Holy Name Grade School and later attended and graduated from Hayden Catholic High School in 1959.
She married Lyle Dreher in 1960 and they parented three children, then later divorced. JoAnn later adopted another daughter, Nickie.
She loved shopping with her girls and attending craft shows; as well as vacations they took together to Las Vegas. JoAnn devoted her entire life in the work field to children, running a home daycare. She made many friends through it. Her children and grandchildren were the light of her life, she loved them dearly and spent a lot of time with them. She also loved having them all home for birthday dinners and big holiday celebrations all together.
Survivors include her three daughters, LaDonna (John) Waldo, Christine (Lon) Weaver, Nickie (Kenny) Fields; and one son, Dan (Raylene) Dreher; grandchildren, Aron (Ashley) Waldo, Alec Weaver, Josie Dreher, Keaton Harmon, Jillian Dreher, Lauren Harmon and one great-granddaughter, Gianna Griffiths. Other survivors include her sisters, Mary Ann Richardson, Carol Fruits, Cecilia Craig and Judy Rainey.
She was preceded in death by her parents; brother, Charles Andres and a sister, Peggy McLaughlin.
JoAnn will lie in state at the Brennan-Mathena Funeral Home on Thursday, February 11, 2021 from 2-8:00 P.M., with the family being present from 5-8:00 P.M. A parish rosary will be recited at 6:00 P.M. and a family and friends rosary will be recited at 7:30 P.M. all at the funeral home.
Mass of Christian Burial will be celebrated at 10:00 A.M. on Friday, February 12, at Christ the King Catholic Church, 5973 SW 25th St., Topeka, KS 66614. Burial will follow at Mt. Calvary Cemetery-Topeka.
In lieu of flowers, memorial contributions can be made in JoAnn's loving memory to Christ the King Catholic Church and/or Hayden High School. Contributions can be left or mailed to the funeral home.
To share a memory or to leave condolences, please visit, www.brennanmathenafh.com.
Arrangements entrusted to Brennan-Mathena Funeral Home, 800 SW 6th St., Topeka, KS 66603. JoAnn Dreher
Memories and Condolences
for JoAnn Dreher
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28 Entries
Robin Anderson (Shrimplin)
February 10, 2022
I was sorry to hear of your mother's passing. I remember you all from Stout elementary school days. May the Lord send you his peace and may your memories also give you peace.
Nick Kramer
February 12, 2021
LaDonna,
I'm so sorry about your mother. Just one of the many things I admire about you is how you looked after her so compassionately and kept her close to you for all these years. I'm glad I had a chance to meet her on several occasions. My condolences to you and your entire family. You're in my thoughts and in my heart. Take care.
Thomas P. Browne, Jr.
February 12, 2021
John/LaDonna and family:
I am so sorry to hear of your mom's passing. I will keep you all in my prayers. In reading her obituary, it is obvious that family was the most important part of her life.
Sincerely,
Tom Browne, Jr.
Lisa (Wiechert) Hockenberry
February 12, 2021
I didn't realize I knew JoAnn's family until I looked at the obituary, but I can say that her love of God and family was evident in her family that I had the privilege of getting to know through CTK and Hayden band/singers especially New York Band Trip 2015. May all her family find peace that she is at peace in heaven looking down on her family and guiding them through her memories be them happy or sad aka just the circle of life. Peace from a a child of God who also happens to also be a fellow alum parent of CTK/Hayden students, a founding member of CTK Church, and a proud MPH School graduate and Hayden graduate. Go Bobcats, Cougars, and Wildcats!!!
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Diana R Sutphen
February 12, 2021
Nikki & family, It was so sad to hear of the passing of your Mother. She was a great person as well as a great Mother & friend. Diana Sutphen
Lisa Zeller
February 12, 2021
Danny and family - I was sorry to read about your mothers passing. I will keep you all in my thoughts and prayers. Lisa (Short) Zeller
Donna Gowing
February 12, 2021
I came this evening to say farewell to JoAnn. God Bless her and her family. My memories of her as a cousin was my time spent at her home as kids. Even then she was fun and exciting to be around. She has more than ever earned her wings. God has another beautiful Angel . My Deepest Sympathy to her family.
Kelli New
February 11, 2021
My thoughts and prayers are with you all. JoAnn was an amazing woman and I will truly miss her. She was a great friend and the best babysitter ever. She spoiled my kids every single day. She loved her family and was so proud of her grandchildren. Hoping you find comfort during this difficult time. She will definitely be missed ♥
Dayla Bagley
February 11, 2021
Prayers and hugs to you all. Joann was a perfect example of putting family first. I was blessed that she shared her family with me.
Cathy Novak Wood
February 11, 2021
LaDonna and family - we are so very sorry for your loss. You all are such a devoted and loving family. I'd only met your mom a few times but felt I knew her well with the stories shared by you, John and Aron! I watched her memorial video and it is obvious that her family was her most important love. How lucky she was to have such a devoted daughter, son-in-law and grandson.
I am also a Holy Name and Hayden graduate and recognized many familiar faces and places (Holy Name basement for one) in the pictures. Charlie Andes was in my class throughout grade school and high school.
My heart goes out to you and I'm sending love, sympathy, prayers and hugs.
May that love and closeness of family and friends have for you all help you through these times.
Love,
Cathy and Brad
Annie Sims
February 11, 2021
In loving memory of a wonderful person. We will love you and miss you always.
Dylan Harris
February 11, 2021
Mama Jo was a beam of light. She carried herself with such grace and had a very loving nature. There is a place in my heart that will always be filled by her presence.
kati shrimplin
February 11, 2021
You was always so sweet and happy.. i am glad me and Tatum got to meet u and i was happy to have u as my sons daycare provider. we will miss you! we love you!! Tatum was always so happy to see u in the morning. he loves his meme.
Mary Meyer-Paletta
February 11, 2021
May the love of friends and family carry you through your grief. Prayers for LaDonna, Dan and family. Hayden class of 1980.
Our Sunday night dinner at the Cheesecake Factory.
Lori Shelton
February 10, 2021
I will dearly miss you my friend. Joann was an incredible cook and loved trying new recipes but she also enjoyed being able to go out to eat a nice dinner. We went to dinner every Sunday night that we were able to. We both lived for our Sunday night out! She also had an amazing sense of humor and was so much fun to be with. I will cherish those memories of you! I know you were strong in your faith and I hope you find the peace and comfort you so deserve.
Becky and Roy Sullivan
February 10, 2021
Nickie our thoughts are with you and your family. So many good memories of Mama Jo, you, and Kory. She was a very special person.
Lyndy Holt
February 10, 2021
Nickie and family; so very sorry to hear about Joann's passing. She was blessing to us in every way. Evan really enjoyed his time at her house. Sending you lots of love.
Amie Brown
February 10, 2021
I'm so sorry to hear about this. JoAnn (or Meemers as we fondly knew her) watched my son from 6 weeks to 3 years old. She was an amazing woman with so much love for anyone she met. We are so blessed to have had her in our lives, even for a short time. Rest in peace Meemers. You will be missed. ❤❤
Kim and Bruce Pfeiffer
February 10, 2021
I am so sorry for your loss. JoAnn was our son’s babysitter for several years. She was the best! Those kids sure never went hungry. We still talk about her cinnamon rolls! Praying for peace and comfort for your family.
Christy Stegman (Sadie)
February 10, 2021
Sadie and our entire family send our sincere condolences to Mrs. Christine Weaver and family. We are so sorry for your loss. Sending big hugs, you are in our thoughts!
John F Holford
February 10, 2021
JoAnn was a lifelong friend. I had hopes of seeing her when this pandemic subsides.
Thoughts and prayers to her family.
Regards,
John F. Holford
Cathy McCoy
February 10, 2021
Nickie, I am sorry for the loss of your mother. She was a lovely person. May she rest in peace!
Kay and Ted White
February 10, 2021
JoAnn will be missed by many. Prayers for the family during this difficult time.
virginia mcccluskey
February 10, 2021
sad to hear of your mother's death. May God give you all strength to get by this sad time.
Carly Flick
February 10, 2021
JoAnn was an amazing person all around. She was a mother, and grandmother to most. But she was Ava and I’s meme and we loved her so much. She was family to us. I send my biggest condolences to all of her family. I hope you fly high JoAnn because you are a beautiful angel that will never be forgotten. Ava and I love you so much.
Mark Works
February 10, 2021
So sorry for the entire family.
Tyler Paletta
February 9, 2021
Chris Ladonna Lon I’m sorry to hear about your mom she was a great lady if u guys need anything let me know I love u guys !
Dan and Carol Engle
February 9, 2021
Joann will be missed by her family and friends. Our heartfelt prayers for her family.
Showing 1 - 28 of 28 results
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Memorial Events
for JoAnn Dreher
Feb
11
Lying in State
2:00 p.m. - 8:00 p.m.
Brennan-Mathena Funeral Home - Topeka800 SW 6th Ave, Topeka, KS 66603
Feb
11
Visitation
5:00 p.m. - 8:00 p.m.
Brennan-Mathena Funeral Home - Topeka800 SW 6th Ave, Topeka, KS 66603
Feb
11
Feb
12
Mass of Christian Burial
10:00 a.m.
Christ the King Catholic Church
5973 SW 25th St., Topeka, KS
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