JoAnn Smith

Davenport-JoAnn M. Smith, 83, of Davenport died Tuesday, December 11, 2018 at the Kahl Home.
A Memorial Mass of Christian Burial will be 10:00 am Friday, December 14, 2018 at St. Anthony Catholic Church, Davenport.  Visitation will be 4:00 to 7:00 pm Thursday, December 13th at the Halligan McCabe DeVries Funeral Home, Davenport.
JoAnn M. Albrecht was born on May 24, 1935 in Davenport, a daughter of Paul F. and Edna Marie (Hardy) Albrecht.  She grew up in west Davenport and was a cheerleader at Davenport High School.  After high school she attended St. Ambrose College and Mercy School of Nursing and became a Registered Nurse.  She was united in marriage to Forrest W. Smith “Smitty” on July 4, 1958 in Davenport.  She began her nursing career at Mercy Hospital in Chicago where she served as a charge nurse.  After a few years in Chicago, the family moved to California and Nevada as Smitty completed his military service.  She returned to Davenport in 1965 and for period of time serviced the Quad City area community as a registered nurse.  Her ambition, know-how and passion for creativity and crafts led to her owning and operating her own retail store, JAS Cross-stitch, for several years.  In 1991, her expertise in retail led to a retail manager position aboard the new President Riverboat Casino.  She enjoyed providing hospitality and building relationships with customers; this led to a role in guest relations.  She retired from the President Riverboat Casino as the Guest Development Supervisor.  She spent several of her retirement years in Mississippi to be near her brother Lee and enjoy a warmer climate.  The last years of her life were spent back in the Quad Cities to spend time with her 7 children and 20 grandchildren.  Her family was her true vocation , always putting their needs ahead of hers.  The love, laughter, and life lessons she provided is immeasurable and will continue forever.

Memorials may be made to Quad City Alzheimer’s Association.

Those left to honor her memory include children, Brian Smith (Sharon Carlson), Suzanne (Greg) Voss, Barbara “Beege” Hanssen (David Faulhaber), Kevin (Hilary) Smith, Christopher Smith, Shannon (Tom) Elliott and Kerry (Julie) Smith; grandchildren: Sara (Matt) DeWulf, Joe (Megan) Hanssen, Andrew (Audrey) Hanssen, Christopher (Kaitlyn) Hanssen, Zachary Bippus, Cole, Lauren, Peyton, Gabrielle, Greyson, Sawyer, Ashton Elliott, Logan, Alyssa, Tyler, Carly, Kaden Smith, Drew Lytle, and Grace Smith; great-grandchildren: Rylee, Delaney, Brodie, and baby girl Hanssen due in January.

She was preceded in death by a grandson, Benjamin Bippus, son-in-law, Mark Hanssen, a brother Leman “Lee” Albrecht, and her parents.

Online remembrances may be expressed to the Smith family by visiting www.hmdfuneralhome.com .