JoAnn "Ma" Bigfire, age 77, passed away peacefully, surrounded by her family, on February 2nd, 2023. JoAnn was born on June 7th, 1945, to the late Jacob VanVenRoy and Rose (DeGrand) Heezen. JoAnn graduated from Preble High School. On November 21st, 1964, she married Elmer J. Bigfire Jr. at St. Phillips Church and had five children: Joseph, Julie, David, Janet, and Lisa. JoAnn was a long-time member of St. John's the Baptist.

JoAnn was raised on a farm in Bellevue and started working in the kitchen when she was old enough. Her journey in the kitchen began at Kroll's East, then at Kaap's Restaurant for ten years until they closed in the late 1970s, D&B's Bar, Titletown, and The Pancake Place until she retired in 2007. Still, JoAnn cooked at home like a restaurant, enough to feed an army, we'd tell her, and she always said, "If anyone left hungry, it was their own fault."

In JoAnn's youth, she enjoyed fishing, picking berries, and traveling, which she achieved despite having no driver's license. As JoAnn got older, she liked eating out, going to the casino, and playing cards, including sheepshead, cribbage, and UNO. JoAnn was known as "Ma" to many, especially at card club, which she and Janet held every Wednesday night. JoAnn had a heart of gold and was always welcoming to new friends she'd meet. JoAnn enjoyed being with her family, grandchildren, and friends; she always said, "Family and friends are the most important things in my life."

JoAnn had lived in Howard since 1966, and when Elmer passed away in 2011, her eldest grandson, Michael Bigfire, had moved in with her. A fire destroyed the home on June 10th, 2017, and JoAnn and Michael designed, rebuilt, and moved back on June 8th, 2018. JoAnn wanted to let Michael know that she greatly appreciated everything he did for her, as it did not go unnoticed.

JoAnn is survived by her daughters: Julie (Steve) Bannow, Janet (April Anderson) Bigfire, and Lisa (Shane Skenandore) Bigfire, nine grandchildren and four great-grandchildren, and many nieces, nephews and cousins. She was also survived by her brother, Gene VanVenRoy, step-brother George (Donna) Heezen, and a step-sister-in-law, Bonnie Heezen.

JoAnn was preceded in death by her parents, her husband; Elmer J. Bigfire Jr., and her sons; Joseph and David, her brother; Hilbert VanVenRoy, her sister; Rosemary and Dan Gossen, step-brother; Larry Heezen, and step-sister; Esther and Joe Bertrand.

A memorial visitation will be held at St. John the Baptist Church, 2597 Glendale Ave (entrance directly across from the BP gas station) from 10:00 AM to 12:00 PM on Friday, February 10, 2023; followed by Mass of Christian Burial at 12:00 PM. Online condolences are welcome at www.PfotenhauerFuneralHome.com .