Joanne Heffern

Joanne Heffern, 86, of Cedar Rapids passed away Thursday, July 8, 2021 at Mercy Medical Center in Cedar Rapids. Funeral Mass was held Tuesday, July 13 at St. Matthew Catholic Church, Cedar Rapids with Father Douglas Loecke officiating. Burial followed at Mt. Olivet Cemetery in Waukon.

Please find the funeral service livestream link on Joan’s Tribute Wall and share your support and memories with her family at www.stewartbaxter.com under Obituaries.

Survivors include her children, Michael (Allison) Heffern, Debbie Ernst (Tom Heifner) and Denise (Lee) Votroubek, all of Cedar Rapids, and Kelly (Matthew) Peters of Plano, TX; seven grandchildren, Stacy Ernst, Lance (Maggie) Votroubek, Sarah (James) Ernst Ware, Kyle (Laura) Votroubek, Graham (Soumya) Heffern, Nathan (Beth) Votroubek and Anna Heffern; and nine great-grandchildren.

Also surviving are her twin sister, Jean Schulte of Cedar Rapids; her brothers, Patrick (Ann) Fahey of La Crescent, MN and Jim (Cheryl) Fahey of Decorah; and many beloved nieces and nephews.

Joan was born August 7, 1934 in Waukon, the daughter of Emmett and Beatrice (Magner) Fahey. She grew up on the family farm, enjoying being outdoors with her horses. Joan graduated from St. Patrick High School in Waukon. February 27, 1954 she married Donald Heffern.

Joan loved caring for her family and was proud of her Irish heritage. She was a member of St. Matthew Catholic Church, where she worked in the daycare for a few years. Her love and kindness will be greatly missed.

She was preceded in death by her parents; her husband, Don; and her son-in-law, David Ernst.

In lieu of flowers, memorials are suggested to the Employee Emergency Fund with the Mercy Medical Center Foundation.