Joan Strohmeyer

Joan Frances Strohmeyer, 69, won her courageous 11-year battle Monday, April 11, 2016. She entered into her heavenly reward peacefully at home, surrounded by family and friends.

Joan was preceded in death by her parents, Lloyd and Maxine Muehlenbrock Brown, and her sister, Barbara Brown.

She graduated from nursing school in 1983 shortly after having her sixth child. As a registered nurse, she spent the majority of her career serving mothers and babies in labor and delivery.

As an active Catholic, her faith in God led her heart to many of His ministries. As a young adult, she became an active pro-life advocate, including being a foster mother to five newborns. Joan was later involved with Charismatic Renewal and Cursillo.

Upon joining the St. Vincent de Paul community in Cape Girardeau, she enjoyed helping with TEC retreats, Cursillo, Vincent's Vittles, the youth ministry, discernment retreats for young men and women considering priesthood or religious life, mission trips, silent retreats and as a volunteer nurse at Notre Dame High School.

Joan is survived by her husband of 49 years, Gerry Strohmeyer of Cape Girardeau; her children, Barbara "Bobbi" Strohmeyer of Cape Girardeau, Sarah Strohmeyer of Cape Girardeau, Marty Strohmeyer of St. Louis, Matt (Jill) Strohmeyer of St. Louis, Danny (Kayce) Strohmeyer of Cape Girardeau, Amanda Strohmeyer of Cape Girardeau and Andrew Strohmeyer of St. Louis; 10 grandchildren; and her brothers, James (Sandy) Brown of High Ridge, Missouri, Lloyd "Skip" (Shirley) Brown of De Soto, Missouri, and Michael (Becky) Brown of Cape Girardeau.

Visitation will be from 4 to 8 p.m. today at St. Vincent de Paul Catholic Church, 1913 Ritter Drive in Cape Girardeau.

A funeral Mass will be celebrated at 10 a.m. Friday at the church, with the Rev. Ron Hoye officiating. Private interment will be in St. Louis.

Masses or donations to the Joan F. Strohmeyer Memorial Scholarship are preferred. Scholarship donations should be sent to the NDHS Education Fund Foundation at Notre Dame Regional High School in Cape Girardeau.

Online condolences may be made at www.fordandsonsfuneralhome.com.

Ford and Sons Funeral Home is in charge of arrangements.