Jo Chafa, 86, of Bridgewater

Celebration of Life Services:  Will be held on Friday, December 9, 2022, at 11:00 a.m. at the Bridgewater United Methodist Church with a luncheon immediately following.   Pastor Karen Patrick will officiate the service.  The Lamb Funeral Home in Fontanelle is in charge of the professional arrangements.  Online condolences may be left to the family at www.lambfuneralhomes.com.

Open Visitation:  Will be held on Thursday, December 8, 2022, at the lamb Funeral Home in Fontanelle from 2:00 p.m. to 7:00 p.m.

Family Visitation:  The family will greet friends on Thursday, December 8, 2022, at the Lamb Funeral Home in Fontanelle from 5:00 p.m. to 7:00 p.m.

Memorials:  Memorials may be directed to the Jo Chafa memorial fund to be established by the family at a later date.

      Joann Lee Chafa was born December 22, 1935 to Vivian (Bissell) Golly and Ernest Golly in Zearing Hardin County, Iowa and passed away November 26, 2022 at the Greenfield Rehabilitation and Health Center in Greenfield, Iowa.

   Her early years were spent in several small towns. She used to say just as soon as her mom would get a house all fixed-up her dad would decide it was time to move. The family finally landed in Bridgewater where she graduated from high school.

   On March 7, 1952 she married Leo Chafa in Marysville, Missouri. They had 3 children Donna, Mike and Scott.

   The family now includes son in law Jim Stonebraker of Lyons Colorado, Mike and Cindy Chafa of Stuart, Iowa, Scott and Joni Chafa of Prescott, Iowa. Grandchildren include Mike Story, Kyle Chafa and wife Jessica, Wesley Chafa and friend Nikki, Zeke Chafa and wife Courtney, Mindy Chafa and friend John, Blake Chafa. Great grandchildren include Emily, Gracie, Sophia, Adrian, Isabella, Sidney, Mychaela, Orion, Alara and Maddux. Extended family includes Sister Lois Nolan, sister in laws Jean Golly and Maxine Jones as well as many cousins, nieces and nephews.

   She was preceded in death by her parents Ernest and Vivian, Husband Leo, Brother Robert Golly, Daughter Donna Stonebraker, Granddaughter Dawn Storey, Twin Great grandsons Samuel and Joshua McDonald.

   Jo worked for and retired from the United States Postal Service as a Clerk and In-Town Letter Carrier in the Bridgewater, Greenfield and Creston post offices.

   She enjoyed eating out with friends and family, camping, traveling and visiting with family and friends. They were always ready to try a new restaurant or eager to get coffee with their many friends. Many family vacations were spent traveling and camping along the way to either a National Park or some other point of interest. Family gatherings always included much conversation and a few games of Scrabble, UNO and Yatzee to name a few. The summer was never complete until she had taken the grandkids to the Adventureland amusement park. She also enjoyed the gathering and fellowship with the members of the Bridgewater United Methodist Women’s Group.

   After their retirement they wintered in Mesa, Arizona where they met and became friends with couples from around the United States and Canada. As no surprise to anyone, each afternoon included a gathering on one of the group’s patio for conversation and refreshments.

   After the loss of most of the use of her legs she moved to the Greenfield Rehabilitation and Health Center in Greenfield. She continued to enjoy the visits of friends and family gatherings. You can bet that if the gathering was large enough there would be a few games of Scrabble, Yatzee or UNO to be played. She was always interested in the latest news on family members and hearing the stories of their travel adventures. No afternoon was complete until she had made the trip to the dining hall for a cup of coffee and conversation with her new found companions.