Jo Carol Friesen passed away July, 10, 2012, peacefully at her home comforted by her husband Roy, and son Dennis.

Jo was born December 25, 1936, in Stafford Kansas. She shared her Christmas birthday with her husband Roy. She graduated from Hutchinson High School and the Adlahale Career College in Hutchinson. She worked for Mammal’s Supermarket Company where she met Roy. They moved to Syracuse, Kansas in 1965, to open Roy’s Food Center which they operated for 32 years. In addition to the supermarket, Jo owned clothing stores, The Rural Route and Route Two in Syracuse. They retired in 1996, and moved to Shell Knob, Missouri.

Jo was active in Girl Scouts and CASA while in Syracuse. She also had a successful career showing cocker spaniels, serving on the National Cocker Spaniel Board and judging competitions. After retiring, she honed her skills at quilting, enjoying the art, and the companionship of her quilting group. She was an avid gardener and took great delight creating a friendly environment for many species of wild birds.

She is preceded in death by her mother, Golda Vavra, father Glenn Smith, stepfather, William Vavra and daughter, Dee Anne.

She is survived by her husband, Roy; son, Dennis, his wife Robin; granddaughters, Rachel, her husband Ryan, Staci, her husband Ken; great granddaughters, Courtney and Kenzi; great grandsons, Tyler and Brandon; step mother, Harriet Smith; a brother, Doug Vavra and sister, Vicki Faulds.

There will be a service to honor her life at 11:00am, Saturday, July 14, 2012, at the Trinity Presbyterian Church in Shell Knob, Missouri, under direction of Fohn Funeral Home, Shell Knob. Reverend Chris Williams will conduct the services. A graveside service will follow at 11:00am Monday, July 16th at the Fairview Park Cemetery in St. John, Kansas. There will be no viewing. Honorary Pall Bearers: Doug Vavra, Earl Friesen, and Donald Smith.

In lieu of flowers memorials can be made to the Shell Knob First Responders or Mercy Hospice, Shell Knob, Missouri.

FOHN FUNERAL HOME Shell Knob, Missouri 417-858-3151