JoAnn B. Packer, passed away February 27, 2009, at the Parkwood Meadows Assisted Living Center in Idaho Falls, ID. She was under the care of Creekside Hospice.

She was born in Idaho Falls, ID, on January 29, 1937, to Oscar and LaVetta Fugal Burke. She was the third of six children. She grew up on the family farm outside of Shelley in the Taylor/Jameston area. She graduated from Shelley High School in 1955, and then attended Ricks College.

She married LaMont D. Jeffs on November 7, 1957, in the Idaho Falls Temple and they were blessed with four children, and were later divorced. She married Eldon Packer on April 1, 1988, in the Idaho Falls LDS Temple, and they were later divorced. She worked at Saving Center on 17th Street and Safeway for many years while raising her children, and later worked at the Idaho Falls LDS Temple for the last 17 years until her retirement. She was very active in the LDS Church serving in several callings as pianist, organist, primary teacher and visiting teacher.

She taught piano lessons for years and made sure all of her children and grandchildren who desired to play the piano had the opportunity to learn to play from her. Her greatest joy was her family and spending time with her grandchildren and being Grandma.

She loved playing the piano, making items for humanitarian projects, and camping with her family. She also enjoyed taking exciting trips with her brother Roger and sister Linda.

She was a special woman, a very giving and loving person, and was loved by all that knew her. She was known as "Mom" by many outside of her children. Her children and grandchildren were her life. JoAnn endured to the end, and she will be greatly missed.

Survivors include her 2 daughters: Glenda Larene Arave (Gavin) of Shelley, ID; Margaret Ann Jeffs of Shelley, ID; 2 sons, Mont Dee Jeffs (Kelly) of Ammon, ID, and Mark Douglas Jeffs (Alisa); 3 sisters, Joyce Robertson (John) of Boise, ID, Irene Murdock (Allan) of Salt Lake City, UT, and Linda Dalley of Salt Lake City, UT; and one brother, Roger Burke of Taylor; 16 grandchildren, and one great-grandchild on the way.

She was preceded in death by her sister Sherril Thompson, her mother LaVetta Burke, and her father Oscar Burke.

Funeral Services will be held at 1:00 p.m. Saturday, March 7, 2009, at the Idaho Falls 26th LDS Ward 2025 Jennie Lee Drive in Idaho Falls with Bishop James Hunter officiating. The family will receive friends from 6:30-8:30 p.m. Friday, March 6, 2009, at Coltrin Mortuary 2100 First St. Idaho Falls, and one hour prior to the services at the church. Interment will take place in the Taylor Cemetery.

In lieu of flowers the family requests donations be made to the JoAnn Packer Memorial account at any Bank of Commerce location. The family would like to express their genuine gratitude to Creekside Hospice, Parkwood Meadows, and Dr. Wallace Baker for their loving care of our mother. Condolences may be sent to the family, and maps to the church and cemetery may be found online at www.coltrinmortuary.com