JoAnn Smith

JoAnn Smith, 86, of Des Moines, Iowa, passed away on Tuesday, April 1, 2025, at Trinity Center in Des Moines. A celebration of life will be held at Hendersons Funeral and Cremation Care Chapel on Saturday, April 12, 2025 from 11:00 a.m. - 2:00 p.m. A private family burial will be held at a later date.

JoAnn was born on October 9, 1938, in What Cheer, Iowa, to John and Jessie (Wilcox) Damerval. She grew up in Ottumwa where she attended school and graduated from Ottumwa High Schoolwith the class of 1956. JoAnn worked at the Des Moines Public School as a cook until she retired in.

JoAnn loved spending time with her family, going to Prairie Meadows, playing cards with friends, and gardening.

Those left to cherish her loving memory are her daughters Leigh Ann Curtis and Sarah (Steve) VanDerSluis; daughter-in-law Michele Curtis; grandchildren Michael Curtis, Michele Chance, Joshua (Megen) Schminkey, Jessica Hogan, Jacki Schminkey, Crystal Arguello, and Stephen (Madison) VanDerSluis; 15 great-grandchildren; brother Jeff (Nancy) Damerval; and many nieces and nephews.

JoAnn was preceded in death by her parents, children Brandon Curtis and Gina Curtis, siblings John Damerval and Joyce Goeke.

Memorial contributions may be directed to the family.

Hendersons Funeral & Cremation Care has been entrusted with the care of JoAnn and her family.