Joanne Patten Stephens died Monday, July 24 at her home with family.  A memorial service will be Saturday, July 29, at the Kingdom Hall of Jehovah's Witnesses, 4130 War Eagle Blvd. Sioux City at 1:30 pm.

Joanne was born August 29, 1936, to Albert Thomas Patten and Twila Mary (Dring) Patten. She graduated from Heelan High in 1954 and worked at St Joseph's Hospital for a year before joining the Army. She was assigned to Tokyo Japan Hospital. When she returned to Iowa, she enrolled in Nursing School in Carroll, IA. Joanne received her RN degree, in Houston TX in the 1980's. Her career took her around the country, and she met her husband, James Stephens, in California. From this marriage, 3 beautiful daughters were born.

Joanne was baptized as one of Jehovah’s Witnesses on October 18, 1980.  She was active in the public ministry; loved talking to others about her Bible based hopes and volunteered her nursing skills in the First Aid department, at their Regional Conventions and many building projects.

She was preceded in death by her parents, her brother John Patten and grandson Joshua Gabriel. She is survived by sisters Mary Patten Slater of Dayton, TX, Susan Callender (Tom) of Sioux City, IA; brother James Patten of Sioux City, IA; daughters Susan Stephens, Newton IA; Sarah Hoggatt, Beaverdale, Iowa; Sharon Holbrook, Blaine, MN; 12 grandchildren and many great grandchildren, nieces and nephews.

At the time of her death, she was a longtime resident of Evergreen Terrace Apartments and a member of Sioux City West Congregation of Jehovah's Witnesses. Joanne will be dearly missed by her many friends and family.