Joan Martha Justice

Joan Martha (Heithoff) Justice, age 82, of Minden, Iowa, passed away on Monday, April 14, 2025.

Joan entered the world on March 12, 1943, the beloved daughter of Linus and Marge (Kisgen) Heithoff. She spent her early years in Templeton, Iowa, before moving to Manning, where she graduated from Manning High School in 1961.

Joan dedicated many years to nurturing both hearts and appetites of elementary, middle-school, and high school students as the head cook at Tri-Center High School. There, she led what many fondly recall as the best hot lunch program in the entire state of Iowa. Thousands of students were served with love and care through her signature surprise bars, unforgettable Thanksgiving feasts, homemade hamburger and hotdog buns, and her legendary chili and cinnamon rolls. Her food was nourishment, her presence comforting, and her kitchen a place of joy and generosity.

Beyond her love for family and food, Joan was a lifelong fan of Elvis Presley. She was fortunate enough to see the King in concert not once, but twice—an experience she treasured deeply. She also visited Graceland and proudly collected Elvis memorabilia over the years, a reflection of her joyful spirit and love for his music. She loved to travel and was a member of St. Patrick’s Catholic Church in Neola, Iowa since 1965.

Joan was preceded in death by her parents and her sister Linda.

She is survived by her four sons: Todd (Toni), Nicholas, Adam, and Travis (Anjanette); 10 grandchildren, 12 great-grandchildren; and a loving extended family and circle of dear friends who will miss her kind heart, sweet smile, and generous soul.

Visitation with Family Greeting Friends will be held Friday, May 9, 2025, from 9:00 a.m. to 10:00 a.m., at Sacred Heart Catholic Church in Templeton. Mass of Christian Burial will follow at 10:30 a.m., also at the church. Interment will be in the Sacred Heart Cemetery in Templeton.

In lieu of flowers, the family asks you to honor Joan's memory with a good meal, a song from Elvis, or a simple act of kindness—just as she would have done.