Joan Kammerer

Joan Kammerer, 62, of Dakota Dunes, SD, passed away unexpectedly at Mercy Medical Center on Wednesday, June 25, 2008. Visitation will be held on Friday, June 27, 2008 from 3-8 p.m. with the family present from 6-8 p.m. at Meyer Brothers Colonial Chapel. A funeral service will be held at 11:00 a.m. on Saturday, June 28, 2008 at Morningside Lutheran Church with Reverend Kevin Lee officiating. Services will conclude at the church.

Joan was born on May 22, 1946 in Genoa, Nebraska to Kenneth and Anna Jean (Lawson) Flaherty. She grew up in Genoa and graduated from Genoa High School in 1964. She married Robert Peterson in 1967, they divorced in 1991. Joan later married Gene Kammerer in McCook Lake, South Dakota on October 3, 1999.

Joan attended the University of Nebraska where she received her B.A. in Elementary Education in 1968. She moved with her family to Sioux City in 1975. Joan began working at Tri-State Graduate Center in 1990 until 2003. She went back to school where she received her M.A. degree in Higher Education from the University of Iowa in 2000 and then another M.A. degree in Counselor Education in 2006 from the University of South Dakota. Joan worked at Anthon Oto School District from 2006 until 2008 as a guidance counselor.

Joan was a member of Morningside Lutheran Church. She taught piano to elementary aged children, played piano at church and had a passion for music. Joan was also the past president (2004- 2005) and member of the Quota Club.

Joan is survived by her husband, Gene Kammerer of Dakota Dunes, SD, children, Amy Barnhill and husband Stephen of Houston, TX, Marcee Peterson of Denver, CO, and Matthew Peterson of San Francisco, CA, 4 grandchildren, Anna, Mirela, Isaac and Julia Barnhill, Step-children, Rick Kammerer and wife Lorene, Jackie Bosma and husband Bob, Judy Shupick and husband Fran, Deb Lather and husband Jim, 19 step-grandchildren and 2 step great, grandchildren, sister, Kathy Pilakowski of Kearney, NE, special aunt, Jessica Lawson of Genoa, NE.

She was preceded in death by her parents, infant brother, Michael Flaherty and a Special Uncle Edwin Lawson.

In lieu of flowers please sent donations in her name to the music program at Morningside Lutheran Church, 700 S. Martha St. Sioux City, Iowa 51106.