ROGGOW, Jo Ann - b. August 25, 1947 - d. November 20, 2017

[patyrn]

Jo Ann Roggow was born on August 25, 1947 in Corpus Christi, Texas to parents, Thomas H. and Katherine A. Freeman.  She passed away on November 20, 2017 at her home in Howard, Kansas with many of her loving family at her side.

Jo Ann's life was filled with travel as the offspring of a Navy career father and subsequent marriages to a career Marine and then to a Navy man.  Early years took her to occupied Japan and many places across the United States.  Adulthood found her living in the city where she was born and again overseas to Guam and many more places in the United States.  Along the way, she paused long enough to graduate high school at Jay, Florida and to get her Registered Nurse license through Pensacola, Florida Junior College in 1968. 

While in college, she met the love of her life, Marine 1Lt. Louis E. Handte II, whom she married on August 19, 1967.  She then tragically lost him in a aircraft accident on December 14 of that same year.  To this union was born a lifelong loving reminder, Louis E. Handte III.  Another chapter of her life began upon marrying Ltjg. Ralph Roggow on May 1, 1970.  To this happy couple, two more children arrived,  Jennifer (Brad Harter) and Lori (Chad Wittmeier).  Their extensive travels continued until retiring from the military to a farm in South Dakota in 1979.

As her children grew up, Jo Ann chose to return to her nursing profession where she became widely respected by patients, doctors, and co-workers enough to be recommended to the Physician's Assistant program at the University of North Dakota.  Upon graduating, this endeavor became the staple of her life until retiring in 2009.  As many can attest to, her patients were the central concern of her practice.  The highlight of her career was as sole medical provider at the Mercy Clinic in Howard, Kansas.

Survivors include her husband, Ralph; all of her children; 10 grandchildren; and 5 great-grandchildren, all of whom she loved dearly.  Preceding her in death were her parents and three brothers, Thomas H. Freeman II, Kenneth R. Freeman, and Hendri. 

Visitation will be held Tuesday, November 28, 2017 from 5:00 p.m. to 7:00 p.m. at the Countryside Funeral Home in Howard, Kansas.  Funeral services will be held Wednesday, November 29, 2017 at 11:00 a.m. at Countryside Funeral Home with Pastor Robin Haines officiating.  Online condolences may be left at www.countrysidefh.com.  A memorial has been suggested to the Elk County Council on Aging and may be left with or mailed to the funeral home.  Services have been entrusted to Countryside Funeral Home, 206 E. Washington, Howard, Kansas 67349.

(taken from the Countryside Funeral Home website)