A celebration of life is scheduled for JoAnn Wold Kearns, a fun-loving free spirit whose scintillating humor and love for life touched all those who knew her. It will be held at 2:30 p.m. on Wednesday, Dec. 4, at Montgomery Stryker Funeral Home in Laramie.
She was born Nov. 14, 1952, the youngest of four daughters of Leonard and Marie Rollins Wold. She was a member of the Evanston High School Class of 1971. JoAnn married Jim Kearns on March 4, 1973, in Evanston. They lived and worked in Casper and Sheridan before permanently settling in Laramie in 1977. Together they had two sons, Aaron and Nathan.
Recognized for her cheerfulness and organizational skills, JoAnn worked at the Wyoming Highway Department and later the University of Wyoming, where she worked at Student Educational Opportunity and was manager of the UW Copy Center in the Wyoming Union. She later was office manager at RTC Corp.
An avid reader, she enjoyed cooking and was noted for her chili and spaghetti sauce, among other popular dishes. She loved working crossword and word puzzles, watching cooking shows and Jeopardy, taking nature walks, camping and gardening. She also enjoyed board games and bunko and was a passionate fan of Wyoming Cowboys basketball, holding season tickets for many years.
Survivors include her husband, Jim; son, Aaron, and his wife, Melissa; grandchildren, Skylor, Travis and Jeremy; and sisters, Linda, Kathy and Marion; along with many nieces and nephews, who all adored their fun-loving Aunt Jo.
She was preceded in death by her parents and son, Nate.
The family suggests, in lieu of flowers, please make donations to Hospice of Laramie.
