Sr. Joan LaBeau

Sister Joan (Mary LeAnne) LeBeau, CHM, 89, died October 8, 2022, at Bishop Drumm Care Center, Johnston, IA.  Services at Bishop Drumm Our Lady of Peace Chapel: Visitation, Thursday, October 13, 2:00 – 4:00 p.m. with Memorial Service, 4:00 p.m.  Services at Humility of Mary Center Magnificat Chapel, Davenport, IA: Rosary, Friday, October 14, 4 p.m., followed by Visitation; Memorial Service, 7 p.m.; Mass of Christian Burial, Saturday, October 15, 11 a.m. with burial in Mt. Calvary Cemetery, Davenport.

Joan Margaret LeBeau was born May 15, 1933, in Chicago, IL, to William J. and Leah Marie (Menard) LeBeau.  She entered the Congregation of the Humility of Mary in 1953 and professed vows in 1955 as Sister Mary LeAnne. 

After receiving her diploma from St. Mary School in Chicago and a certification in food service, Sister came to Ottumwa and began her ministry.  She served as a cook and housekeeper in academic settings, including Ottumwa Heights College (1955-58), St. Vincent’s, Davenport (1958-66), and Dowling High School, Des Moines (1966-78), and then in care settings, including Crestview Acres, West Des Moines (1978-90), Bishop Drumm Care Center (1990-91), Mercy Hospital, Des Moines (1991-95), and both Mercy Senior Services and Park Place Continuing Care Retirement Community, Des Moines (1995-2002). From 2002 to 2009, she was the Assistant CHM Coordinator at Bishop Drumm where she served sisters of her community and others who needed a listening ear, a supportive prayer, a task completed or anything else to enhance their quality of life. She also played an important role in assisting two families in the care of their young children.

Sister turned her love of cooking into an art and ministry that not only provided nourishment but also an opportunity to share unique baked goods, such as gingerbread houses, donating them to auctions and events to raise money for affordable housing. 

Sister Joan is preceded in death by her parents; brothers Maurice, Bernard, Francis, and Robert; sisters Sister Elaine LeBeau, S.Sp.S and Ann Valenta; in-laws Dolores and Aurore LeBeau and Frank Valenta; nephews Ronald LeBeau, James LeBeau and Larry Valenta, Sr.; and nieces Rosemarie Kenna, Noella McMahon and Jeanne LeBeau.

Survivors are sister-in-law, Mary LeBeau, nieces Elaine Hewitt, Sue LeBeau, Sharon Valenta and Nancy Wennerberg and nephews Edward LeBeau, David Valenta, William LeBeau and Paul Valenta along with many grand/ great nieces and nephews and sisters and associates of Sister Joan’s religious community.

Memorials may be made to the Congregation of the Humility of Mary.