Jo Megchelsen

Jo Megchelsen, passed away peacefully in her sleep on October 22nd, 2018. She was born March 14, 1933, in Macomb, Illinois. She married John P. Megchelsen on September 8, 1957, in Keokuk, Iowa. They were married for 40 years until his death in 1997.

Jo Megchelsen grew up in Janesville, Wisconsin. Her family relocated to Keokuk, Iowa during her junior year where she graduated from Keokuk High School as valedictorian. She graduated Phi Beta Kappa from the University of Iowa in 1955 with a Bachelor of Arts degree in mathematics. She taught math at high schools in Michigan, Iowa and Hobbs, New Mexico and later served as a trust officer at First National Bank of Lea County and as a paralegal.

Jo moved to Cannon Air Force Base at Clovis, New Mexico, in 1958 and then to Hobbs in 1962. She was an active member of the First Presbyterian Church where she served in many capacities over the years, including Deacon. Jo Megchelsen was a member of the Patio Garden Club and was a creative florist and hostess. She enjoyed hosting holiday dinners and parties for family and extended church family. She was a skilled Master Gardener and her garden was renowned for always being in colorful bloom. She often shared her cut flowers with friends. She had two very special social groups that she enjoyed, the Book Club and the Knit Wits. She was a very loyal friend to many and enjoyed serving her neighbors and friends in need. She moved to Lubbock, TX in 2014 where she enjoyed many neighbors and friends at her residence at Carillon. Jo and John enjoyed traveling and went on frequent trips.

Jo Megchelsen was survived by; her son, J.D. Megchelsen, his wife Dana, of Hobbs, NM, their daughter Kelsey Nussbaum, and Kelsey’s daughter Alexi, of Kenai, AK, Dana’s son, Steven Davis, of Anchorage, AK, and Dana’s son, Alan Davis of Sydney, Australia and his children Aaliyah and Parker; daughter Diane Blair, her husband Steve, of Hobbs, NM, their son Austin Blair, of Plano, TX, son Alex Blair, of Portland, OR, daughter Sally Blair of Lubbock, TX; her daughter Lisa Vanderpoorten, her husband Joe and their daughters Danielle, Kerianne, and Emily of San Pedro, CA, their son Eddie Vanderpoorten and his daughter Maliah of San Pedro, CA, and their daughter Jessica Vanderpoorten of Las Cruces, NM; one brother David Kegerreis of Kingwood, TX, and two sisters, Audrey Bickley and Sylvia Kegerreis, both of Keokuk, Iowa, and her nieces and nephews.

She was preceded in death by her husband, Dr. John P. Megchelsen, on November 15, 1997, and her parents Henry Herschel Kegerreis and Marvil McKinnon Kegerreis.

A memorial service for Josephine Anne Megchelsen of Hobbs will be held on Saturday, November 3, 2018 at 2PM at the First Presbyterian Church with Revered Karyn Thurman officiating. All those who loved her are invited to attend.

Memorials may be made to the First Presbyterian Church of Hobbs, 920 North Turner, Hobbs, NM 88340.