Joann Arnzen

On Tuesday June 9, 2020, Joann Vandeven Arnzen of Cape Girardeau left this life at Saint Francis Medical Center to go to her new home with the heavenly Father.

Joann will best be remembered for the family she raised and the friendships she developed. She was constantly on the go and a consistent presence and positive influence in the lives of her loving husband, her two daughters, her six grandchildren and countless friends.

Her roots were in Cape Girardeau, where she enjoyed fishing, golfing, reading, gardening and having lunch with dear friends. She dedicated 52 years to working in the medical field and cherished her time with co-workers and patients, all of whom she considered friends.

She enjoyed her winters in Phoenix, where she would spend time with her daughters and participate in the school, sports and life events of her beloved grandchildren. Her life was filled with energy, constant motion, passion and love. She can rest knowing that her love and lessons will be shared by all of those who knew her.

Joann was born Dec. 29, 1943, to Henry and Hilda Holzum Vandeven in Bollinger County, Missouri. She married her best friend and the love of her life, Edwin Henry Arnzen, on Aug. 31, 1963.

She is survived by her husband, Ed Arnzen; daughters, Cheryl (Robert) Beahan, and their children, Hadley, McKenna, Payton and Brody, of Arizona, and Amy (Tony) Spahr, and daughters, Kinsey and Maiya, of California.

She was preceded in death by her parents, Henry and Hilda Vandeven; sister, Virginia Connors; brother-in-law, Jerome Connors; father- and mother-in-law, Ernest and Elizabeth Arnzen; and brother-in-law, Herman Arnzen.

Always the planner, Joann asked the following to be noted in her obituary: "I would like to thank my husband, my daughters and their families for all the happiness you gave me. God bless to all."

A funeral Mass will be offered at 9 a.m. July 1 at St. Vincent Catholic Church. A celebration of life will be from noon to 3 p.m. July 1 at the Elks Club.

Memorials may take the form of contributions to Notre Dame Regional High School or Southeast Missouri State University Women's Basketball, two organizations dear to her heart.

Due to COVID-19, attendees are asked to wear a mask at the church and reception. In order to do your part and to be respectful of reducing the spread of the virus, you are also asked to refrain from personal contact with one another, keeping the 6-foot suggested spacing. The family would like to encourage attendees, instead of sharing an embrace, to practice one of Joann's signature trademark traditions: a wink or thumbs up to one another!

Ford and Sons Funeral Home in Cape Girardeau is in charge of arrangements.