Joan Nikoll "JoJo" Gruner

Joan "JoJo" Nikoll Gruner, born February 21, 1945, in New Orleans, Louisiana, passed away March 16, 2016, surrounded by her loved ones. Despite battling multiple medical conditions for years, she always kept a smile, a positive outlook, and looked forward to even the smallest of outings and visits by her family and friends. Joan graduated from Mercy Hospital School of Nursing and worked as an OBGYN registered nurse for 38 years. She thoroughly enjoyed shopping, fishing, playing cards, and vacations at the beach. She also adored her loyal companion Duncan. Joan is survived by her loving husband, Richard Engel Gruner, D.D.S., whom she married August 27, 1966. She was a devoted mother to Richard E. Gruner, Jr. (Susan Spiers), Robyn Gruner Risinger (Wesley), and Jeffrey Scott Gruner, M.D. (Rachel). She was a loving grandmother to Emily, Trey, Elise, David and Isabelle Gruner. She recently became a great-grandmother to Noah Gruner. She is survived by her sister Jane Robicheaux (Robert), brother-in-law Robert E. Gruner, M.D. (Lillie), many beloved nieces and nephews, and many dear friends that she referred to as family. She is preceded in death by her parents, Adolph and Maybelle Nikoll. The family would like to express their gratitude to the many physicians/staff who cared for her over the years, as well as the medical staff at Louisiana Heart Hospital. They are forever grateful for the loving care given to her by Lawana Williams and Tammy Orkes. Relatives and friends are invited to attend the Memorial Service in the Chapel of Lake Lawn Metairie Funeral Home, 5100 Pontchartrain Blvd., New Orleans, Louisiana, at 1:00 p.m. on Wednesday, March 23, 2016. Visitation will precede the service from 11:00 a.m. until 1:00 p.m. In lieu of flowers, donations in her memory may be made to St. Jude Children's Research Hospital and Hospice House Hospice Foundation of the South, (www.hospicefoundationofthesouth.org).