Joanne Arlene Niffenegger

Joanne Arlene Niffenegger, known as “Jo” to close friends, passed away peacefully of natural causes on May 27, 2025, at Caissa Assisted Home Care in Gilbert, Arizona. She was 89 years old.

Joanne was born on April 3, 1936, in Rockford, Illinois, to Thelma (Falkner) and John Joesten. She worked for the United States Postal Service for 33 years, retiring in 1999. After retirement, she spent time with her children, grandchildren, and great-grandchildren. She lived in Rockford until August 2022, when she relocated to Arizona.

She was preceded in death by her daughter Brenda Heckelsmiller, granddaughter Erin Heckelsmiller, her parents, sister Patricia Manning, and brothers Ronald Joesten and Fred Joesten.

She is survived by her son Roger Niffenegger, Jr., daughters Patricia Heckelsmiller and Shelly (Carl) Nelson, 8 grandchildren, and 9 great-grandchildren. She is also survived by her sister Shirley Reichwein of Illinois and brother Donald (Dorothy) Joesten of Arizona.

Her final resting place will be at San Tan Memorial Gardens at Schnepf Farms in Queen Creek, Arizona. The burial will be held at 10:00 am on Tuesday, June 10, 2025.