She was born in Moulton, Texas to Adelé (Jaroszewski) Findeisen and Wilhem (“Bill”) Findeisen on September 22, 1936.
As her children grew up, they always had friends over and they came to know Iva Jo as “JoJo.” That name stayed with her throughout her life and everyone, including adults, called her by that name. She was a teacher’s aide at Moulton Elementary School for many years and spent over 20 years as the Den Mother to Moulton Cub Scout Pack 221. She had a tradition of making her annual fruit cake, which is a family recipe, and enjoyed sharing with family, friends and neighbors. As the years went by and she was no longer able to carry out this tradition, her daughters graciously accepted the role of making the fruit cakes. She worked alongside her late husband at the family owned Moulton Hardware which they operated together for over 20 years. As did her husband, she had a passion for fishing and it was nothing for her to catch the biggest fish. The days at the coast were some of her most cherished memories. She was a loving wife, mother, grandma, and great grandma and will be dearly missed by all.
She was preceded in death by her parents, husband of 59 years, Willie Ed, son, Robert, daughter, Rhonda, 1 brother: Eugene Findeisen, 2 sisters: Willis Starkey and Ora Nell Satsky.
She is survived by 3 sons: Rodney and wife Becky Maresh of Moulton, Roger and wife Carolyn Maresh of Aransas Pass, Russell and wife Shari Maresh of Jacksonville, North Carolina, 2 daughters: Roberta and husband Daniel (Preacher) Mejias of Moulton, Regina and husband Todd Clifton of Katy, son-in-law: Ben Braeuer of Moulton, 15 grandchildren, 16 great grandchildren, brother-in-law Dennis Satsky, uncles, aunts, nieces, nephews, and cousins too numerous to name, but not forgotten.
A memorial rosary will be held at 11 a.m. Saturday, February 16, 2019 at Smith Funeral Home in Moulton, Texas. Following the rosary, lunch will be served at the Moulton Community Center.
The family would like to extend a special thank you to the caregivers and staff at Shady Oak Nursing Home in Moulton, Crown Hospice of Victoria and Dr. Maurice Wilkinson.