Joan Frances Meek

Joan Meek
Ankeny, Iowa

Joan Frances Meek, 83, passed away on November 17, 2025, at Sunny View Care Center in Ankeny. She was born on November 11, 1942 in Chicago, Illinois to John and Vallie (Paris) Iwanicki, Sr.

Joan’s greatest priority in life was family—and to her, “family” included anyone she cared about. She expressed her love through cooking, joyfully sharing her creations with everyone around her. Joan worked for many years as a “sample lady” at HyVee, where she greeted customers with a warm smile and a tasty bite. She not only offered samples but also crafted her own recipes to highlight the flavor and deliciousness of whatever meat she was serving, always sending shoppers home with a copy to try for themselves.

She also spent several years working at Mainstream Living, where she assisted individuals with disabilities. These special friends quickly became family to her, often joining her own loved ones around her kitchen table to share meals and holidays. Joan also had a deep and gentle love for animals.

Joan is survived by her son, Jim (Teresa) Meek; grandsons, Kaleb and Andrew Meek; great grandson, Emmitt; siblings, John (Karen) Iwanicki, Jr. and Mary Kephart; brother-in-law, Vern Regnold; sister-in-law, Mary Frances Iwanicki, along with other loving relatives and many special friends.

She was preceded in death by her parents; husband, Edward Meek; siblings, Berniece Regnold and Michael Iwanicki.

A Celebration of Life will be held at a later date.

Memorial contributions may be directed to the family in loving memory of Joan.

Online condolences may be expressed at www.hamiltonsfuneralhome.com

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