Joanne Stangl Kalahar

Joanne Marie Kalahar, 80 was born on September 8, 1945, in Des Moines, Iowa, to Joe and Mary(Hagerty) Stangl. She passed away peacefully on Saturday, December 27, at Kavanaugh House in Des Moines.

Joanne was raised in Des Moines and graduated from St. Joseph Academy in 1963. She attended Drake University, earning a Bachelor of Arts degree in Education. After beginning her career as a teacher, she returned to Drake University to complete a Master of Arts degree in Curriculum Design.

On September 28, 1976, Joanne married Ken Kalahar. They shared 34 years of marriage until Ken’s death in 2012. During their life together, they delighted in their four-footed family. Missy was their first boxer, followed by Maddy and Lady, and later Sassy, a Vizsla. Joanne loved her dogs deeply—and nearly every other dog she ever encountered.

Joanne was a lifelong learner in every sense of the phrase. She continued her education through The Senior College of Des Moines and later the Osher Lifelong Learning Institute at Drake University. Her interests were wide-ranging, with classes spanning subjects from vegetable cooking to Iowa history to learning how to play Mahjong. She simply loved to learn. She was also an avid reader, and her home reflected that passion, filled with bookcases brimming with books.

Joanne and Ken enjoyed taking day-long road trips throughout Iowa, appreciating the changing seasons and the beauty of the landscape. She was well known among family for her insistence on stopping to read the brown Historic Site road signs along the way—often making for very long trips. These excursions almost always included a meal at a restaurant serving “real” food and a stop at a local gun shop for Ken.

Joanne especially cherished two international trips: a visit to Ireland in 2005 and to Spain in 2013. In Ireland, she met relatives from County Cork and took pride in celebrating her Irish heritage. In Spain, she traveled with her sister and two cousins, reuniting with another cousin who introduced her to Spanish culture. Closer to home, Joanne and her sister shared memorable adventures to Glacier National Park, Yellowstone, Niagara Falls, and New York City, among many others.

Quilt shops and scrapbook supply stores will miss her loyal patronage. Fabric was an art form to Joanne.While not many quilts were completed, the fabrics themselves were carefully chosen and deeply appreciated. She created many thoughtful and unique scrapbooks to commemorate special people and events.

Joanne was a member of the National Education Association, including the Iowa State Education Association, and a longtime member of the Iowa Reading Association. She also supported numerous charitable organizations.

She was preceded in death by her husband, Ken Kalahar, and her parents, Joe and Mary (Hagerty) Stangl. Joanne is survived by her sister, Judi Cunconan; her niece, Katy (Tim) Haggerty; her great-niece, Ada Haggerty; her great-nephews, Everett and Owen Haggerty; her stepson, Tad (Mary Ellen) Kalahar; and her step-granddaughters, Kristi (Becca Goce-) Kalahar and Jessica Kalahar.

Joanne will be remembered for her kindness, resilience, and compassion. She consistently put others before herself. She will be deeply missed by her sister and family, who are grateful for a lifetime of shared memories, laughter, and love. Memorial contributions in Joanne’s name may be directed to the Animal Rescue League, St. Mary of Nazareth Church, or the Des Moines Public Library.