Joanne A. Loughlin Sanderson

Joanne (Jo) Loughlin Sanderson, age 94, died peacefully at her home on Monday, March 7, 2022, surrounded by family.

Funeral services will be held at Immaculate Conception Church, Cherokee, Iowa, on Friday, March 18, 2022, 10:30 a.m. Father Dan Rupp will officiate.

Arrangements are being handled by Greenwood Schubert Funeral home. Visitation with family will be Thursday, March 17, 6:00-8:00 p.m. at 206 West Main Street in Cherokee Iowa, rosary at 6:00 p.m.

Online condolences may be sent to the family at www.greenwoodfuneral.com

Joanne Loughlin Sanderson, daughter of Margaret Josephine (Jo) and John Joseph (“Jiggs”) Donohue, was born June 18, 1927, in Sioux City, Iowa. She prided herself on her 100% Irish heritage. She had 5 brothers, Jimmy, Phil, Jack, Ken and her twin Tommy.

“Jo”, as she liked to be called, graduated from Central High School in Sioux City. A highlight from her time in high school was being a proud member of a group of 12 girls called “The Dirty Dozen.” Jo outlived all her siblings and her Dirty Dozen pals.

She attended St. Mary of the Woods private Catholic college in Terre Haute, Indiana for 2 years. She continued her education at the University of Iowa where she met her future husband, John D. Loughlin, who was attending Iowa Law School. They married in Sioux City, Iowa in 1949, and moved to Cherokee, Iowa, in 1950, where John D. joined his father John F. Loughlin at Loughlin Law Firm. Jo and John raised seven children and built a fulfilling life residing in Cherokee, Iowa at 700 West Cherry Street for 50 years.

She was a member of Immaculate Conception (IC) parish, Cherokee Country Club, Cherokee Community Theater, where she received two Best Actress awards (Janney’s). She taught CCD classes at IC Parish, was active with Catholic Daughters and a founding member of her Bridge Club in the early 1950s. In addition, Jo loved working at Hope’s Fashion Farm for many years with all of Hope’s girls. Her wit, wisdom, and quiet strength were a gift to all who knew her.

Jo was also known as an excellent cook, and was famous for her deviled eggs, chocolate chip cookies, basil french bread and the infamous Jack Lirio Torte. Jo was the “sous chef” for her good friend Joan Steele, at Joan’s Cordon Bleu Cooking School in Cherokee. A highlight for Jo was when she casually met Julia Child in 1979 in Omaha, Nebraska.

In 2002 Jo reconnected online with Jack Sanderson, a former classmate who lived in Tucson, Arizona. They married in September 2003 at Maryhill Catholic Church. They wintered in Tucson, Arizona for 5 years, and moved to Cherokee full time in 2008. Jo enjoyed a loving friendship with Jack’s adult children Janet Sanderson, Mike (Shelly) Sanderson and their son Ian.

Jo delighted in her children, grandchildren and great grandchildren and loved being called “GG JO”. She is survived by her children, Mary Loughlin (John Snapp), Ann Loughlin, John (Jay) Loughlin (Mollie Loughlin), Joan (Jomi) Anderson (Jimmy Davis), Barbara (Barbi) Mahoney (Andy Mahoney), Betsy Kigin, and Patricia (Patty) Loughlin. She is also survived by her 14 grandchildren, Samuel Gustafson, John Loughlin, James Loughlin, Nicholas Loughlin, Patrick Loughlin, Megan Skaggs, Emily Vickery, Brian Mahoney, Charles Mahoney, John (Jack) Mahoney, Molly Mahoney, Margaret (Maggie) Sullivan, Timothy (Tim) Kigin, and Kathryn (Katie) Kigin. In addition, Jo had 12 great grandchildren. She is also survived by her special friends and neighbors, Jodi and Bob Feser. She was preceded in death by her first husband, John D. Loughlin, her second husband, John M. Sanderson, and her grandson, Joseph P. Gustafson.

Memorials may be sent to: Immaculate Conception Church for a commemorative bench to be placed in the meditation garden near the church.

SERVICE VIDEO

SERVICES

OFFICIATING

VISITATION

INTERMENT