Joann Maureen Villegas

JoAnn Maureen, daughter of Ernst and Mary (Fredericks) Bohlmann, was born March 10, 1938 on the family farm near Ricketts, Iowa. She attended rural school near Ricketts and graduated from Ricketts High School. In 1955 JoAnn was united in marriage with Merle Dean Rupert. Two children were born to this union. They lived in rural Ida Grove. JoAnn attended Sioux City Cosmetology School. She worked as a cosmetologist at her own beauty shop in Sioux City. On June 5, 1977 JoAnn was united in marriage with Johnnie Villegas at St. Paul Lutheran Church in Irwin. They made their home in Irwin where she operated her beauty shop for many years. In 1988 JoAnn started driving truck for Western Engineering, and then became a school bus driver in 2005 until the spring of 2013. JoAnn was a member of St. Paul Lutheran Church in Irwin where she sang in the choir and was a member of the Women's Club. JoAnn enjoyed camping and rode on RAGBRAI for three years. She enjoyed collecting angels, crosses and Christmas bears. She often spent her spare time crocheting and knitting. JoAnn loved and valued her time with her children, grandchildren and great-grandchildren above everything else. JoAnn was diagnosed with cancer in August of 2013. She died peacefully at her home on Tuesday morning, October 8, 2013 at the age of 75 years, 6 months and 28 days. Preceding her in death are her parents; step-father George Bruhn; and brother Larry Bohlmann and his wife Alice. JoAnn is survived by her husband John Villegas of Irwin; daughter Jodean Rupert-Groesbeck of Oklahoma City, OK and son Roderick "Rowdey" Rupert of Parkers Prairie, MN; eleven grandchildren; nine great-grandchildren; siblings Kathy Bohlmann of Brayton, David (Joene) Bohlmann of Manning, Jerry (Mary) Bohlmann of Cheyenne, WY and Rick (Tauna) Bohlmann of Audubon; step siblings Willis (Dawn) Bruhn of Audubon, Orrin (Carol) Bruhn of Irwin, Susan (Michael) Lapham of Audubon, Edward (Veronica) Bruhn of Santee, CA and Russell (Bev) Bruhn of Audubon; nieces, nephews, other relatives and friends.