JoAnn Louise Jenkins

JoAnn Louise Jenkins, a beloved mother, grandmother, sister, and friend, passed away peacefully on August 28, 2025, in Salem, Oregon, at the age of 88. She was born on January 15, 1937, in Dallas, Oregon, to Edward and Berneice Mueller, and spent her formative years on a farm in Independence, Oregon, alongside her three brothers, James, Thomas, and Fredrick.

JoAnn graduated from Central High School in Independence and pursued further education at WOSC, Oregon State University, and Portland State University, where she studied Home Economics, though she never quite completed her degree. Her commitment to education was evident in her life choices and her deep love for nurturing others.

In the years following high school, JoAnn married Ralph Jenkins, her high school sweetheart, with whom she built a life full of love and hard work. Together, they raised four wonderful children: DeAnna Piercy (Dan), Barbara Kaufman (Mark), Laura Johnson (Rex), and David Jenkins (Jennifer). JoAnn was a dedicated stay-at-home mom who provided a warm and loving environment for her family, imparting the values of hard work and resilience. She was also a neighborhood babysitter, opening her heart and home to many children.

JoAnn's entrepreneurial spirit shone through when she started The Heartbeat Florist in the 1970s, a business she ran with passion and dedication well into her 80s. In addition to her career as a florist, she was deeply involved in her community as a Bluebird Leader, 4-H leader, a member of the Outdoorsman Club, and a classroom mom in her children's schools.

An avid traveler, reader, and gardener, JoAnn cherished the beauty of life and nature. She was a trailblazer in women's sports, founding the first women's softball team in Salem, where she played for 13 years.

JoAnn's heart was as vast as her talents. She was known to all as a beautiful soul, a woman with a heart of gold. Her legacy continues through her nine grandchildren: Sean, Brian, Crystal, Amber, Spencer, Suzanne, Natalie, Zachary, and Claire, as well as three great-grandchildren: Rylan, Sage, and Jordan. Her family will forever remember the love, pride, and encouragement she instilled in them, often expressing how proud she was of her children and grandchildren.

JoAnn was predeceased by her parents and her beloved husband, Ralph, who passed away in 2001. The love between them shaped JoAnn's life and continues to inspire her family. They often reflect on how proud Ralph would be of their accomplishments and the family they have become.

Her family and friends are heartbroken by her passing, but they find comfort in the sweet memories they shared and the love that will remain in their hearts. JoAnn lived a fulfilling life, often reflecting that she wouldn't have changed a thing, and her remarkable spirit and unwavering love will carry on through her loved ones.

A funeral service to honor JoAnn's life will be held on September 11, 2025, at 2:00 PM, at the Dallas Cemetery.

JoAnn Louise Jenkins, we love you dearly and miss you more than words can express. Peace and love will forever dwell in our hearts as we cherish all the precious memories we hold. Until we meet again, dear mom.