JoAnn Betty Mahedy
January 14, 1939 — December 24, 2025
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Service Details
JoAnn Betty Mahedy, age 86, passed away on Wednesday, December 24, 2025. She was born the daughter of Cleva Miller and John Mekus on January 14, 1939, in Des Moines, Iowa. She later married Daniel Mahedy, and the two of them built a family and home full of traditions.
JoAnn was a humble woman characterized by joy and kindness. She noticed the needs of others and was always putting them first. Sweet, gentle, and hardworking, she warmly welcomed everyone she met, and her home was a gathering place and safe place to land for her loved ones for decades. She had a green thumb and enjoyed sharing her garden with others. She was a maker and keeper of traditions–Sunday dinners of tacos, beef and noodles, or lasagna to name a few, family birthdays, or camping trips to cultivate connection. Her home was full, and loud for gatherings yet ordered and peaceful when you went to visit her.
JoAnn was a dear friend, and loved her Thursday lunches, and regular card nights. Over the years you could find her walking the neighborhood, wintering in Texas and Arizona, dancing, enjoying water aerobics, scrapbooking, or watching Wheel of Fortune at the end of the day. She was a loving and devoted wife to Danny, for 53 years, and together they shared a beautiful life. She leaves behind an incredible legacy of love that will continue on in their children and grandchildren.
She is survived by her daughters, Laura (Tony) Castelline, Karen Shafer, and Connie (Eddie) Rice; 15 grandchildren; 27 great grandchildren; and 1 great-great-grandchild.
Joann was preceded in death by her husband, Daniel Mahedy; son, Jeff Mahedy; son-in-law Troy Shafer; and granddaughter, Penelope “Pennie”.
Visitation will be held Saturday January 3rd, 2026, 10:00 am with funeral service following at 11:00 am, at All Saints Catholic Church. 650 NE 52nd Ave, Des Moines, Iowa 50313. Burial will take place at Pine Hill Cemetery with luncheon following.
Memorial contributions may be directed to the family in memory of JoAnn.
Condolences may be expressed at: www.HamiltonsFuneralHome.com
Marilyn Peterson Hampton
01/08/2026
Little Jo we called this sweet lady. We worked at the same time as she and Danny did at LOOK Magazine in Des Moines. We were roommates with another sweet friend, Vi Corder. I remember Jo pushing the interoffice mail cart all over the LOOK building. Jo was truly a precious friend. The 3 of us girls all turned 86 in 2025. We kept in touch after all these years. She hosted us together with my sisters at her home for a precious reunion. Jo always made sure there was a hand written card in my mailbox for each birthday and Christmas. They called Jo and me Mutt and Jeff, like the old comic strip characters. She was 4' some inches, I was 5'7-1/2"! We had good times together as young adults. I already miss Jo on this earth, but I have hope that we will be together once more over in Heaven for eternity. Heaven just got richer for Jo's arrival❤️❤️
Linda CUMMINGS
12/29/2025
Joann was the BEST neighbor and the sweetest soul. I grew up around the corner from the Mahedy family, and in 2014 bought the home across the street. She brought me a big plate of Christmas cookies my first Christmas at the house, and always stopped to chat when I was doing yard work. May she RIP.
Sylvia Perry
12/28/2025
To the family, I had the pleasure of working with Joann at Sears. She was a great lady and so much fun to be around so positive of all the time.
We will be keeping you in our prayers
Sylvia and Steve Perry
Paulette Ihrig
12/28/2025
What a sweet lady. Our deepest condolences to her family.
Paulette Ihrig and Pauline Steinbach