Joann Pauly

Ruth JoAnn (Kockrow) Pauly passed away on September 14, 2019, at Sanford Ava’s Hospice House in Sioux Falls, South Dakota at the age of 87.

JoAnn (as she preferred to be called) was born on October 4, 1931, to Raymond and Lillian Kockrow in Williams, Nebraska. The family lived on several farms before purchasing a farm near Rushville, Nebraska in 1945. JoAnn attended high school there, graduating in 1948. After high school she attended Chadron State College for one year and earned an education certificate. She taught at a country school north of Gordon, Nebraska, for the year 1948-1949 before marrying Edward Pauly in 1949. She and Ed moved to Martin, SD, living on the Pauly home place and then in town before they purchased their farm eight miles east of town. They opened Pauly Oil and Equipment in Martin in addition to the farming operation. JoAnn worked with Ed in supporting the farming work and also helped run Pauly Oil. After Ed died in 1969, JoAnn went to work at Blackpipe State Bank. She worked at the bank until she retired at the age of 81.

JoAnn was active in the Order of Eastern Star since 1955 and held all of the offices in the Martin Chapter several times. She also served as a Grand Officer in 1978 and a Grand Representative twice in the Grand Chapter of South Dakota. At the time of her passing she was a member of Evergreen Chapter 97 in Kadoka.

JoAnn spent many hours piecing and sewing beautiful quilts and made sure each of her family members received one or more. Most of all, she enjoyed spending time with her grandchildren and great-grandchildren. JoAnn also enjoyed gardening. Many of her friends in Martin enjoyed the produce from her garden as she loved to share.

JoAnn was a member of the Lindsey Memorial Presbyterian Church and Bennett County Extension Homemakers. She could always be counted on to support her church, lodge, and extension clubs by donating salads, desserts, and baked goods whenever she had the opportunity to do so. JoAnn loved to cook, try out new recipes, and share her baked goods with others. She kept the employees at the bank happy with her caramel rolls and treats. Her generosity was experienced by many people throughout the area.

JoAnn is survived by her daughter Donette (Bruce) Gering of Sioux Falls; sons Eddie Joe (Denise) of Rapid City and Johnnie Ray (Nancy) of Martin; grandchildren Annette (Jason), Rachel (Robert), Joel (Katie) and Rebecca; great-grandchildren Amelia, Elliott and Emma; brother Dean (Beverly) Kockrow of Valentine, NE; sisters-in-law Marilyn Kockrow of Rushville, NE, and Florence Pauly of Martin; many nieces and nephews and a host of special friends.

She was preceded in by her husband Ed; brothers Donald and Tom and her parents.

Blessed be her memory.

Funeral Service will be held Friday September 20, 2019, 10:00 AM at the Activity Center in Martin, SD. Burial will be held in Martin Community Cemetery. A memorial has been established for the Lindsey Memorial Presbyterian Church or the Bennett County Library and donations may be sent in care of Bennett County Funeral Service, PO Box 65, Martin, SD 57551.