Eleanor Joanne (Gruber) Duxstad

Joanne’s service will be live streamed on the Rupert Funeral Home Facebook page starting a few minutes before 2pm Sunday, September 8, 2024. After the conclusion of the service, the video will be available for continuous viewing on our Facebook page.
 

Joanne Duxstad, formerly of Shippenville, passed away at the age of 89 at her home in Spring Hill, Florida while on hospice care on December 31, 2023.

     Born Eleanor Joanne Gruber in Oil City, Pennsylvania on September 7, 1934, she grew up on the family farm and graduated from Shippenville High school and earned a Home Economics degree from Indiana State Teachers college. She worked for the PA Agricultural Extension Agency. She moved to Florida and worked with the American Dairy Association. 

     Joanne enjoyed singing her whole life, from singing solos in church and at Grange events as a young girl, visiting Chautauqua in the summers with her mother and Aunt Dorothy Whitehill, and performing in college to performing with her Sweet Adelines group in Florida and national competitions.

     She married Lee Duxstad and she looked upon Lee’s children and grandchildren as her own family. They lived in Naples, FL where they enjoyed boating and playing bridge. She taught her stepchildren lifesaving skills and grandchildren to swim and is remembered for being patient and kind. She was active in the DAR.

     She was preceded in death by her husband Lee Duxstad, her stepson Steven Duxstad, her parents John Paul Gruber Sr and Cornelia Whitehill Gruber, her brothers Douglas Gruber and his wife Carol and John Paul Gruber Jr “Jiggs” and his wife Lois.

     She is survived by her stepson Michael Duxstad, her stepdaughter Pam Billek, grandchildren Jessica Simon, Emily Duxstad, Michael and Christopher Billek, and great grandchildren Benjamin, Bradley, and Kaylee Billek, and was so happy to be Great Grannie Joannie to her youngest great grandchild Davis Simon who she got to meet before her passing.

     Joanne is also survived by her sisters-in-law Roberta Gruber (John Paul Jr) and Arlyn "Lindy"  Maas, nieces and nephews, cousins, and friends.

    She was loved and will be missed by many.

     A memorial service will be held at St. Marks Chapel, Kossuth, on Sunday, September 8 at 2 PM with interment in St. Mark’s Cemetery.

There will be a live streaming of the funeral service at 2 pm on Sunday the 8th on the Rupert Funeral Home Facebook page. 

     Online condolences may be sent to Joanne’s family at www.rupertfuneralhomes.com

     Arrangements are under the direction of the William N. Rupert Mortuary, Inc. of Knox.

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