JoAnn Stransky

On March 5, 2025, JoAnn Stransky, a beloved wife, mother, grandmother, and great-grandmother, ran to the outstretched and awaiting arms of Jesus after a brief and spiritually heroic battle with illness.

JoAnn was born on January 27, 1936, in Yankton, South Dakota, the fourth child of Edward and Helen Hacecky. Along with her siblings Alvin (Grace), Robin (Virginia), Betty (Herb Hunhoff, Emil Hlavac), JoAnn grew up on the family farm.

In 1956, JoAnn graduated as a Registered Nurse from Sacred Heart Nursing School and Hospital in Yankton. Shortly after graduating, she moved to Denver, Colorado, where she took a job and worked for over 30 years in the surgical intensive care unit at the VA hospital.

On June 23, 1958, JoAnn married Robert (Bob) J. Stransky at the original Sacred Heart Catholic Church in Yankton. Four children were born to their union: Lori (Steve Walkup), Joni (Lynn Smith), Tamara (Luke Hecker), and Robert (Bobby) Jr. (Vonnie, Teresa). JoAnn and Bob shared 66 years of marriage and witnessed the fruits of their union with the birth of 13 grandchildren and 31 great-grandchildren. As the grandchildren married and had kids, whenever photographers took a photograph of Bob and JoAnn and family, they needed a panoramic lens!

During their working years, JoAnn and Bob lived full-time in Denver. In 1985, upon retirement, they purchased a fishing cabin in Alcova, Wyoming. There, they spent summer months sewing (JoAnn) and fishing (Bob) and often entertained family and friends. The special family memories of Lake Alcova are too numerous to count.

JoAnn loved to sew and was an accomplished seamstress. She could make clothes, mend clothes, and hand-stitch just about anything. Out of love, for over 40 years, JoAnn sewed and hand-stitched Christmas ornaments and baby blankets for her grandchildren and great-grandchildren. On Christmas Eve, she hid the ornaments throughout the house and, one by one, gave clues to where the kids needed to search to find them while learning about the family's history.

JoAnn’s grandchildren and great-grandchildren will forever recall Christmas Eve at grandma’s house, where she produced and directed an annual Nativity play in which each of them had a unique role, and the youngest grandchild or great-grandchild played baby Jesus.

JoAnn practiced the Catholic faith by attending Mass and embracing a special devotion to the Blessed Mother, the Rosary, and the Chaplet of the Divine Mercy daily.

Bob and JoAnn are recognized as the unquestionable matriarch and patriarch of the entire family. She deliberately fostered meaningful, life-long relationships with all family members, including her many nieces, nephews, friends, and neighbors. JoAnn's absence creates a void on Earth, leaving the family longing to one day be reunited with her at the banquet table in Heaven.

Bob and the family would like to thank the doctors, nurses, chaplains, and employees at Saint Joseph’s Hospital in Denver for their compassionate care during her many hospitalizations. The family is also most grateful to the doctor, nurses, and staff at Emmaus Catholic Hospice of Denver, who accompanied JoAnn and her family during her final days on Earth with great grace and compassion.

Donations may be made to Emmaus Catholic Hospice (5290 E. Yale Circle, Suite 100, Denver CO 80222) or a charity of your choice in honor of JoAnn Stransky.

Please share memories and condolences with JoAnn's family by signing the guestbook.