Joann Fenner

JoAnn (Spindler) Fenner of Grand Rapids passed away peacefully at home on December 31, 2023. She was born in Washington, D.C. on October 29, 1942, to Betty (Bigger) & James B. Spindler. Jo and her parents moved to Detroit after WWII, later living in Midland and Ypsilanti. Jo graduated from Belleville High School in 1961, later attending Cleary College and Western Michigan University, where she met fellow student Stirling Fenner. They were married in 1967, and built a house in Delton where they lived for 30 years. During that time, Stirling was a Science teacher at Gull Lake Middle School and they were both longtime members of Richland Presbyterian Church. Jo completed her Bachelor’s Degree in Accounting from Nazareth College in 1989 and worked in Kalamazoo for Nazareth, Friend of the Court, Community Dispute Resolution Center, and also for the Richland Presbyterian Church & Lake Michigan Presbytery. Throughout her life, Jo was an active leader in her community, volunteering for school, church, and social organizations. She was a supportive wife to Stirling for 49 years, until his death in 2016. Jo is survived by her daughters, Erin Fenner (Duncan Drummond) of Skokie, IL, Heidi Bush of Gulf Breeze, FL, and Meegin Rozeboom of Grand Rapids; seven beloved grandchildren; sister-in-law, Nancy McDiarmid of Fountain; brother-in-law, Dan (Gretchen) Fenner of Grand Rapids; 11 cousins; and countless friends worldwide. Jo was a loving wife, mother, and “Oma.” A love of travel took her to all 50 United States and around the world including, Europe, China, Mexico and Cuba. She was a skilled sewer, knitter, crafter, and leaves a legacy of beautiful handmade works. Jo had a special talent for meeting new people and loyally maintained lifelong friendships. Jo was a planner and problem solver who provided wise and supportive counsel to friends, family, and colleagues. She will be missed by all who knew her. The family invites you all to her memorial service starting at 12:00 PM on Saturday, March 23rd at North Park Presbyterian Church with a luncheon to follow. (500 North Park ST. NE, Grand Rapids, MI 49525) In lieu of flowers, donations may be made to your local Habitat for Humanity organization: https://www.habitat.org To send a message of sympathy to the family, sign Jo's online guest book, or to share a favorite memory, please visit: www.MichiganCremation.com Cremation arrangements are entrusted to Michigan Cremation & Funeral Care, Grand Rapids, 616-452-3006. To order memorial trees or send flowers to the family in memory of Joann Fenner, please visit our flower store.