JoAnn Bremer

JoAnn C. Bremer, 89, of Grand Rapids, Michigan, passed away Saturday, November 26, 2022, at the Lutheran Home in Cape Girardeau, Missouri. Earlier this year, JoAnn moved to Cape Girardeau, to live near her daughter.

The fourth of nine children, JoAnn was born October 28, 1933, in Grand Rapids, Michigan, to John and JoHanna Maat DeGraaf.

JoAnn married John Bremer, Jr., on July 25, 1958. JoAnn devoted her life to being a wife, mother, and homemaker. John’s professional expertise led to their working on cruise missile design for the defense industry. The family subsequently lived in Maryland, St. Louis, Florida, and San Diego where John eventually retired from General Dynamics. John and JoAnn returned to West Michigan to retire and lived in Zeeland. They had been married for nearly 56 years when John passed away on April 1, 2014.

The family fondly recalls that JoAnn took pride in organizing DeGraaf family gatherings. She was a faithful member of the Third Reformed Church in Zeeland, Michigan, and was a member of a Scottish Terrier Club. She especially enjoyed singing in the church choir and participated in Hope College Choir, singing in their annual presentation “The Messiah”.Loving survivors include three children, J. Dirk Bremer of Holland, Michigan, Eric Bremer of Big Spring, Texas, and Annie (Eric) Friedrich of Jackson, Missouri; a son-in-law, Richard (the late Brenda) Klein of Festus, Missouri; a daughter-in-law, Val Bremer of St. Charles, Missouri; seven grandchildren: Brandon Fish; Erica Bremer and daughters, Aubrey and Aisley; Meagan Bremer (Stephen) Oliver; Katie Bremer (Mathew) Stafford; Jordan Friedrich; Logan (Tylyn) Friedrich and daughter Reagan; and Jacob Friedrich; four siblings: Lawrence “Mike” (Lois) DeGraaf; Evelyn “Ev” DeGraaf (Wallace) Versluis; Frederick “Fred” (Pat) DeGraaf; Paul (Therese) DeGraaf; and a sister-in-law, Arloa (the late John) DeGraaf, all of Michigan.

Visitation will be from 4 to 6 p.m., Sunday, December 4, 2022, Langeland-Sterenberg Funeral Home, 315 E. 16th St., in Holland, Michigan.
To honor JoAnn, the family will privately honor her with a graveside service at Restlawn Memorial Gardens in Holland, Michigan, where she will be laid to rest with John. The Rev. Burton Bolt will conduct the ceremony.