Jo Ann Yonker, 79, of North Platte, NE, passed away Monday, July 1, 2013, at Great Plains Regional Medical Center in North Platte.

Jo Ann was born January 3, 1934 to Wallace H. and Elizabeth Barr Geiger at North Platte. When Jo Ann was little she lived in Banning, CA then returned to North Platte to live with her aunt and uncle, Lucille and George Luedke. She graduated from North Platte High School in 1951 then went to work for First National Bank and later was a bookkeeper for McDonald State Bank. Jo Ann also worked for Banker’s Life, was a bookkeeper for York Hinman and worked for Kings Food Host for several years before starting her own business, Animals By Jo Ann, where she made stuffed animals. She also made teddy bears for the Nebraska State Patrol Medi Teddy Program which gave them away to traumatized children.

On December 30, 1953, Jo Ann married Clayton Kenneth Yonker at Julesburg, CO and they made their home in North Platte. Along with raising their three daughters, Jo Ann and Clayton helped with foster children who were sent to the Snow Redfern Boys Ranch in Alliance, NE.

Jo Ann was a member and lay minister of the Episcopal Church of Our Savior and member and past president of the Daughters of the King. She was also a member and past president of Altrusa International and a charter member of the Velvet Spurs Riding Club. Jo Ann helped with the Goodfellows Shoe Fund and volunteered for the Salvation Army and Red Cross. She also loved her garden and especially her roses.

She is survived by her husband, Clayton, of North Platte; two daughters, Linda (Jay) Colburn, of Sutherland, NE, and Boni (Lynn) Hothan, of Hershey, NE; six grandchildren, Melissa (Barrey) Konicek, Keri (Levi) Fisher, Amanda (Aaron) Brandes, Brenda Boggs, Will (Sharley) Cleveland and Chelsea Jury; six great-grandchildren, Sage and Devin Konicek, Mekenna and Peyton Fisher, Hope Boggs and Danica Cleveland; a sister, Jerry (Todd) Langston, of Concord, CA; a niece, two nephews and other family.

Jo Ann was preceded in death by her daughter, Cheryl Yonker; her parents, Wallace and Elizabeth Geiger; and a sister, Odessa Geiger.

Cremation was chosen. A memorial service will be 10 a.m. Friday, July 5, 2013, at the Episcopal Church of Our Savior with Father Jeffrey Nelson officiating. Her cremains will be placed in the Episcopal Columbarium. The memorial book may be signed at odeanchapel.com or from 8:30 a.m. to 6 p.m. Wednesday at Odean Colonial Chapel At C & Sycamore which is in charge of arrangements. Memorials are suggested to the Episcopal Church of Our Savior.