Joanne Ymker

Hawarden, Iowa- Joanne Ymker, 80, of Hawarden, died Tuesday, April 16, 2013 at the Sanford USD Medical Center in Sioux Falls, SD. Funeral services will be held at 10:30 a.m., Saturday, April 20, 2013 at the Hawarden Community Church with Rev. Derek Vande Slunt officiating. Burial will follow at Grace Hill Cemetery. Visitation will begin at noon on Friday, April 19, 2013 with family present from 6-8 p.m. with a prayer service at 7 p.m. at the church. Online condolences may be left for the family at www.porterfuneralhomes.com.

Joanne was born December 1, 1932 in Little Rock, Iowa to Will and Anna (Valentine) De Boer. On October 21, 1953, Joanne married Elmer Ymker at her parent's home in Carmel, Iowa. Together they moved to various farms in South Dakota and Iowa before moving to Hawarden in 1984. Joanne celebrated life in her flower gardens, crocheting, helping others, babysitting her grandchildren, and spending time with her family. Joanne always put others first and saw the positive side of life.

Joanne is survived by her sons, Larry (special friend Rickie Mork) of Akron, IA, Jerry (Helen) of Hawarden, IA, and Randy (Nita) currently serving in the US Air Force in the United Kingdom; daughters, Elma (Don) Carlson of Beresford, SD and Ruth (Scott) Nilson of Hawarden, IA; son-in-law, Mark (Kathy) De Kock of Alcester, SD; sisters Leona Sandbulte of Luverne, MN and Lois Warntjes of Denver, CO; 22 grandchildren and step-grandchilren; and 25 great-grandchildren and step-great-grandchildren.

Joanne was preceded in death by her parents; husband, Elmer; daughter, Joyce De Kock; sister, Mina Hoyer; brothers, Peter and John De Boer; and many special loved ones.