JoAnn Crystal Monroe, 91, of Guttenberg, Iowa died Thursday, March 5, 2026 at the Guttenberg Hospital,Guttenberg, Iowa surrounded by family. JoAnn was born April 26, 1934 to Fritz and Melvina (Nelson) Lauer in Eldorado, Iowa. She graduated from West Union High School, West Union, Iowa in 1951.
On August 19, 1951, JoAnn was united in marriage with Forrest Wayne Monroe at St. Peter Lutheran Church in Eldorado, Iowa. Six children were born to this union. Her and Forrest farmed in the Luana area, and was a Property Manager for Rydell Farms for over twenty years. JoAnn also worked as a Home Health Aid. She enjoyed gardening, fishing, baking, flower gardens and watching hummingbirds, she always made a homemade syrup for the hummingbirds.
Surviving JoAnn are her children, Peggy (Tony) Webb of Garnavillo, Iowa, Judy Stahl of Postville, Iowa, Kevin (Jan) Monroe of Elkader, Iowa, Brian (Lynn) Monroe of Postville, Iowa, Paul (Kelly) Monroe of Ferryville, Wisconsin and Brent (Melissa) Monroe of Urbandale, Iowa; seventeen grandchildren, Alisha (Tom) Jones, Dustin West, Jill (A.J.) Austin, Greg Monroe, Christina (Rusty) Fisher, Matt (Samantha) Monroe, Jamie Bishop, Jodeann Cooley, Shane (Mandy) Monroe, Jesse (Lisa) Monroe, Travis (Bridget) Monroe, Colton (Kassie) Monroe, Rhys Monroe, Megan Stetzer, Joshua (Ashley) Wieman, Molly (Seiler) Noble and Megan Monroe; twenty-fivegreat-grandchildren; a sister-in-law, Harriet Monroe of Ossian, Iowa and a sister-in-law, Rose Keller of Phoenix Arizona.
She was preceded in death by her parents, Fritz and Melvina Lauer; her husband, Forrest Monroe and sister, Lorraine (Henry) Monroe.
Visitation will be held on Monday, March 9, 2026 from 10am – 12pm at the Schmitz-Grau Funeral Home and Cremation Service of Ossian, Iowa.
A Graveside Service will be held at 12:30pm on Monday, March 9, 2026 at Pleasant View Cemetery in Castalia, Iowa with Rev. Daryl Schultz as the officiant.
Schmitz-Grau Funeral Home and Cremation Service of Ossian, Iowa is assisting the family with arrangements.