JoAnn Spurgin

JoAnn Spurgin

August 14, 1951 – March 27, 2023

VISITATION: Thursday, March 30, at 5pm, with 7pm VIGIL SERVICE, St. Stephen the Martyr Catholic Church, 16701 S Street.

MASS OF CHRISTIAN BURIAL: Saturday, April 1, at 11am, St. Stephen the Martyr Catholic Church. To view a live broadcast of the Mass, please visit www.heafeyheafey.com and click the “View Live Cast” button at the top of the home page.

In lieu of flowers, memorials are suggested to St. Augustine Indian Mission, EPS, or a charity of your choice.


JoAnn Eleanor Spurgin (Heimann), 71, of Omaha, Nebraska, passed away on March 27, 2023, after a short battle with cancer. Her final days were spent in the caring hands of the nurses at the Josie Harper Hospice House and surrounded in love by her family.

JoAnn was born August 14, 1951, in Columbus, Nebraska, and grew up on a nearby farm. She moved to Lincoln to attend the University of Nebraska and eventually met and married her husband, James (Jim) T. Spurgin. They were married in December 1974 and enjoyed a beautiful 48 years together, raising three children through multiple moves to homes in Lincoln, Omaha, and the suburban Kansas City area. She viewed each move as a new adventure and was quick to “pick up strays” and make new friends on her regular walks.

JoAnn was an active member of St. Stephen the Martyr Catholic Church in Omaha. She enjoyed spending time with her family, taking walks, and volunteering at church and service organizations to help those in need. JoAnn was always concerned with the care and well-being of others, even up to her death.

JoAnn was a dedicated homemaker for several years before working as a paraprofessional for children with developmental and physical disabilities. She showed great compassion for children with special needs and taught her kids the importance of caring for others.

JoAnn was preceded in death by her parents. She is survived by her husband, Jim; three children and their spouses: Matthew (Jeanette), Sara (Brad Park), and Christopher (Kelsey); seven grandchildren; five siblings and their spouses; numerous nieces and nephews; grand-nieces and grand-nephews.

32 Comments

  • Dennis and Ruth Riesselman Posted March 29, 2023 10:15 am

    Our prayers and rosary’s for the month of May will be for you, your family and JoAnn’s soul. God bless your family forever..

  • Wendy Synowicki Posted March 29, 2023 10:25 am

    Oh how very sorry we are to hear of JoAnn’s death!! And how we will miss seeing her smiling face at Mass! Truly our loss is Heaven’s gain! You are all in our prayers. May she rest in peace with the faithful departed through the mercy of God. Pray for us, Saint JoAnn, until we meet again~

  • Debbie Lewis Posted March 29, 2023 10:37 am

    Our prayers and condolences are with you Jim and the family. Prayers for JoAnn.

  • Steve & Connie Cinnamon Posted March 29, 2023 10:39 am

    To Jim and family: we mourn with you.

  • Benjamin Doll Posted March 29, 2023 11:24 am

    Jim & family,

    I am so sorry that JoAnn left you so early. She meant a great deal to my mom, and she was always so kind when I was around her. I hope her memory and spirit echos through the generations. God bless you during this hard time.

    I apologize, I will be out of town for the next week, but your family and JoAnn are in my prayers.

    Ben Doll

  • Reba Miller Posted March 29, 2023 11:56 am

    Jim ,
    I’m praying for you and your family and for JoAnns soul. I’ll miss her email letters. She was a wonderful person and so faithful! Please take care all of you!

  • Paul and Sandy Compas Posted March 29, 2023 11:56 am

    So very sorry to hear of JoAnn’s passing. We send our sincere condolences to Jim and families.

  • Tony & Dee Felici Posted March 29, 2023 12:06 pm

    May you find peace during this difficult time. Our prayers are with you.

  • Dan Koenig Posted March 29, 2023 12:06 pm

    Jim and Family, Mary and I have JoAnn and all of you in our thoughts and prayers.

  • John and Jennifer Carda Posted March 29, 2023 2:26 pm

    Jim and family, so sorry to hear of your loss. Sending all our prayers your way.

  • Lori E Czopkiewicz Posted March 29, 2023 2:42 pm

    Dear Jim and family ,
    I didn’t know JoAnn long but I came to know how kind and thoughtful she was. JoAnn had a sweet nature and beautiful smile. She willbe missed by the many who were fortunate to know her.
    Peace be with you all.

    Lori Czopkiewicz

  • Peg Bay Posted March 29, 2023 3:24 pm

    Jim and family,
    We are so sorry for the loss of Jo Ann. You will all be in our thoughts and prayers during these hard times.
    Jim and Peg Bay

  • Genevieve Marie Stamp Posted March 29, 2023 3:45 pm

    I have no words, Jim, only sorrow for your loss and for all who God gifted in knowing her.

  • Rosann Lucas Posted March 29, 2023 4:20 pm

    Jim and family, I just found out about Joann‘s passing. I am so very sorry for your loss. We were next-door neighbors for quite a few years in Olathe Kansas, what wonderful neighbors. I will keep you in my prayers.

  • Brian Gappa Posted March 29, 2023 5:04 pm

    Jim, it is always hard to find words to comfort someone in times like these. Jo Ann was a perfect example of how to live you life for God. She touched many people in the St. Stephen’s community. Remember always; “That we all pass on from this life. The goal isn’t to live forever. The goal is to create something that does.” I think Jo Ann is a shining example of that. God Bless You and your Family.

  • Pam Davis Posted March 29, 2023 6:10 pm

    JoAnn was a kind, loving educator for young children with special needs. We worked together at Cody & reconnected years later at St Stephen’s. I enjoyed visiting with her after Mass upon occasion. My thoughts and prayers are with the family. May God comfort all of you as you mourn.

  • Jason and Sherri Castor Posted March 29, 2023 7:23 pm

    Jo Ann always had a smile and a kind word for everyone. Even when she suffered. She will be missed by so many! Rest in peace good and faithful servant of our Lord Jesus.

  • Jim and Kandy Gott Posted March 29, 2023 7:25 pm

    Jim, Christopher, Sara, Matt and families,

    We are so deeply saddened by the loss of JoAnn. There are no words that can soothe the emptiness you must feel, and only time and the promise of being with her again in heaven can provide a bit of comfort and hope. May she rest peacefully in the presence of our Lord. We will be praying for you all as you walk the road ahead, leaning on each other for strength. We offer our deepest condolences.
    Love, Kandy and Jim Gott

  • Judy Huettner Posted March 29, 2023 8:44 pm

    JoAnn was a dear cousin who was always an example of kindness and love.. My prayers are with you Jim, and all of you who will miss her so much..
    Judy

  • Brenda Kreber Posted March 30, 2023 4:06 am

    Jim, we are so sorry for your loss. JoAnn was a great friend, and a wonderful person. She was always so kind and caring. Dave and I are praying for you and your family during this very difficult time.

  • Ryan Vincent Posted March 30, 2023 10:04 am

    Matt, Jeanette and extended family: So sorry for your loss. The KHRC team is sending hugs and prayers to all of you as you go through this difficult time.

  • Stephanie Brown Cummings Posted March 30, 2023 12:01 pm

    I have such fond memories of being in JoAnn’s house as I was growing up. My deepest condolences.

  • Ruth Tisdale Posted March 30, 2023 12:15 pm

    Jim, we are so sorry for your loss. We loved JoAnn. What a beautiful servant she was! Praying for you.

  • Jim & Betty Lou Wolpert Posted March 30, 2023 1:22 pm

    Jim and family, we are truly sorry for your loss, We thank God for JoAnn and you Jim and the wonderful family you have, We will keep all of you in our thoughts and prayers, God bless you, Love Jim and Betty Lou

  • Colleen and Tierney Warder Posted March 30, 2023 6:14 pm

    Jim,
    So sorry to hear about JoAnn. We really enjoyed you both as neighbors. Eternal Rest grant unto her and let the perpetual light shine upon.

  • Susan M Clark Posted March 31, 2023 12:29 am

    So very very sorry to hear of JoAnn’s passing. I always loved seeing both of your smiling faces in Bible study classes! She was a wonderful person. Dennis and I will pray for all of you. May she rest in peace.

  • Rose and Rich Benda Posted March 31, 2023 4:29 am

    Dear Jim, Sara and family,
    Our hearts are heavy for all of you. JoAnn was such a beautiful shining light of God on this earth. We know she is beloved by many and will be greatly missed. Our prayers are with yours for JoAnn’s most glorious journey home to Our Heavenly Father with Jesus and Mary and all the Saints and Angels. May you feel His tender loving care for you during this time of sorrow.

  • Jean Ruchti Posted March 31, 2023 7:30 pm

    Jim and Family I am so sorry to hear about JoAnn’s passing. It was a privilege to work with JoAnn in a classroom for children with special education needs at Cody Elementary School. Wishing you all comfort and remembering JoAnn’s kind and loving spirit.

  • Marleen Evans Posted April 4, 2023 8:39 pm

    I was so sad to hear of JoAnn’s death and am very sorry I was not able to attend the services for her. I remember JoAnn as an energetic and loving person. She was a friend and neighbor who sometimes cared for our sons when they were in preschool. More recently I was in a Tai Chi class with her at St. Stephens and always enjoyed talking with her.

  • Rob Waterhouse Posted April 5, 2023 9:11 am

    Jim, I am saddened to hear of JoAnn’s passing. I have fond memories of her working beside all us guys during the Fish Frys. She was a sweet gal, a delight to be around. My family and I are praying for you and your family during this difficult time. Your friend,

  • Janet Shriver Posted April 15, 2023 2:56 pm

    Thank you for all the kind thoughts and prayers you sent our way. JoAnn was a dear ,sweet, loving, sister. She is missed every day. Her life was a good example for each of us as life moves on. God Bless Jim,Matt and, Jeanette,Sara and Brad, Chris and Kelsey and families. Wishing all of you many happy memories.. Love Janet and Larry

  • Laura and Bob Posted November 14, 2023 9:35 am

    November ’23 – Thinking of you everyday but especially this time of year when we last gathered for Thanksgiving. Words cannot express how much we will miss JoAnn being with us this year. Love and Prayers, Laura and Bob

Sign Guestbook

Your email address will not be published. Required fields are marked *