Joan Mccarthy Kieffer

Joan McCarthy Kieffer, age 89, of Preston, IA, passed away with loving memories and care from her family on December 14, 2021. A funeral mass celebrating Joan’s life will be held at St. Joseph Catholic Church in Preston at 11am on Monday, December 20, 2021. Visitation will be held from 4:00pm to 7:00pm at the church with a Rosary service at 3:30pm, on Sunday, December 19, 2021. Burial will be at St. Joseph’s Catholic Cemetery, in Preston.

Joan was born February 25, 1932 in Preston, IA, the daughter of Clarence and Ella (Cain) McCarthy. She was a lifetime member of the St. Joseph’s Church, Preston. She would go on to marry Glenn Kieffer on August 28, 1956.

She graduated from Mt. St. Clare Academy, Mt. St. Clare College, and Marycrest University. She taught for 39 years in the Preston Community schools. Upon retiring from teaching, she started a new chapter in her life and established a business in party decorating called The Country Closet.

Joan was creative and enjoyed crafting, sewing, family history, and poetry. Her main priority was always her children, grandchildren and great grandchildren, whom she loved very much. They were the focus of her life.

Joan will be missed by everyone who knew and loved her. Those left to honor Joan’s memory include her children, Terry (Nancy) Kieffer, of Preston, IA, Gene Kieffer (Marie), of Preston, IA, Ann (Richard) Keeney, of Miles, IA, Marcie (David) Driscoll, of Preston, IA, and Sheila (Reece) Lindstrom, of Maquoketa, IA; many grandchildren and great grandchildren; one sister, Mary Holle, of Clinton, IA; and two sons-in-law, Lonnie Tebbe, of Spragveville, IA, and Dave McKern, of Minnesota; as well as many extended family members. Joan is preceded in death by her parents, Clarence and Ella; husband, Glenn; children, Margie Tebbe and Karen McKern; and sister, Clarice Hilgendorf.