JoAnn Marie Brookins

JoAnn Marie Brookins age 78 of Ionia, IA died Saturday, November 22, 2025, at IOOF Home and Community Therapy Center in Mason City, IA.

A private family inurnment will be held at a later date.

JoAnn Marie Brookins, a beacon of faith and generosity, passed away peacefully on November 22, 2025, at the age of 78. Born on April 7, 1947, to Robert and Isabell Brookins, JoAnn’s life was a testament to her loving nature and her dedication to her family, friends, and community.

JoAnn’s journey began in Howard County, Iowa, where she attended country school before graduating from Cresco High School. Her early years set the foundation for a life of hard work, resilience, and compassion. JoAnn’s path led her to marry James Fencl, with whom she shared three children: Bryan, Melissa, and Brad. Though their marriage ended in divorce, the bonds of family remained unbroken.

Fate smiled upon JoAnn when she met Ronald Lechtenberg, a man with whom she would share a profound love and partnership until his passing. Together, they embraced a blended family that included Ron’s children, Lois and Jim. JoAnn’s heart, ever-expansive, found room to love and nurture each child as her own.

Throughout her life, JoAnn demonstrated a profound commitment to her community. She offered her hands and heart to assist the Mennonites with transportation, ensuring they could attend to their needs with dignity and ease. Her work on the farm was not merely a task but a display of her deep connection to the land and the cycles of life. JoAnn’s spirit of service extended to her church, where she was an active and devout Christian, embodying the teachings of her faith through her actions and kindness.

JoAnn’s interests painted a picture of a woman deeply rooted in the simple pleasures of life. Her elderberry and apple pies were legendary, a testament to her skill in the kitchen and the joy she found in sharing her culinary creations. Her garden was a lush tapestry of colors and flavors, and her care for poultry and sheep was a reflection of her nurturing soul. JoAnn’s love for the outdoors was evident in her passion for trapping and hunting, activities that connected her to the earth and its bounty.

Surviving JoAnn are her son, Brad Fencl; step-son, Jim Lechtenberg; step-daughter, Lois Snell; grandchildren, James and Ray Bluhm; sisters, Valerie Pettit, Judy Brookins, Alberta (John) Linneman, and Bonnie Brookins; and brother, Arthur (Doris) Brookins. Her legacy of love also lives on through the many nieces and nephews who cherished her presence in their lives. 

JoAnn was preceded in death by her son, Bryan; daughter, Melissa; life partner, Ron Lechtenberg; her parents; and brothers, Joseph and Roger Brookins.