Joanne C. Huss

Joanne Huss Obituary

Joanne Cecelia (Fay) Huss, age 74, of Goodlettsville, TN, passed away surrounded by loved ones on February 21, 2025, at TriStar Skyline Hospital.

Joanne was born on October 5, 1950, to John and Edna (Franzen) Fay. She and her nine younger siblings benefitted from growing up on a dairy farm near Fredericksburg, Iowa.

 Joanne’s love of learning began by walking to a one room country school. She continued her education at Sumner Community Schools, graduating as valedictorian. She attended Iowa State University (ISU), where she met and married her husband Robert “Bob” William Huss on June 27,1970. At ISU, she received a bachelor’s degree in English Education. She also received a master’s degree in counseling and Guidance from the University of North Dakota and a Education Specialist in Reading from the University of Georgia. 

While supporting all efforts to improve education, she dedicated herself to public education, teaching English in Colorado, Georgia, and Oklahoma and then transitioning to high school counselor. She and her family experienced the benefits of public education. Joanne was awarded Teacher of the Year at Perkins-Tryon High School in 2003 before retiring and moving to TN in 2009 to be closer to her grandchildren. 

 Joanne competed fiercely, whether it was milking the cows with her siblings, winning awards for sewing, Bremer County Dairy Princess and Fair Queen, a “friendly” card game, dominos, or “cheering” at grandchildren’s sporting events. Joanne led efforts to host international students. She opened her home to students from 5 different countries and met their families on subsequent trips. She enjoyed many adventures, including travel in the US and abroad with friends and family. Each grandchild received their own special trip. She rode her bicycle with her husband in numerous states and countries. When she wasn’t volunteering her time, you could find her gardening, tending to her many plants in and around her home, reading, walking daily, or sewing. 

 Joanne’s faith in God and service to her parish, Our Lady of the Lake, were unparalleled. She was especially devoted to the Legion of Mary. One of her personal missions was to encourage others in their faith, citing Communion as carrying the utmost importance in being close to God. As the oldest of 10 children, her siblings are convinced that she will hold the Gates of Heaven open for them. 

 Joanne was blessed with great health in her early years, even donating one of her kidneys to her 31-year-old brother, Michael, in 1994. As the years progressed Joanne usually appeared in good health, however she largely kept her 30-year medical battles private. She had lumpectomy of her right breast in 1996 followed by radiation and chemotherapy to treat breast cancer. In subsequent scans, additional tumors were found in her abdomen. It was determined that it was not breast cancer; it took several years and several surgeries before they were identified as paragangliomas. She benefited from cutting edge cancer research when she was treated with proton radiation therapy at Loma Linda University Hospital. The surgeries and radiation left her intestinal functions compromised. She didn’t let any of that limit her activities, but complications in her abdomen led to her passing.

 Joanne is survived by her husband of 55 years, Bob Huss, two children Jeanine Huss of Bowling Green, KY and Andrew (Tara) Huss of Brentwood, TN; five grandchildren Maya, Kai, Brady, Drew, and Eli, 6 brothers and sisters; Frank Fay of Jesup, IA, Chris (Ed) Tibesar of Cedar Rapids, IA, Jim (Barb) Fay of Waverly, IA, John (Joyce) Fay of Waverly, IA, Barb (Jay) Hageman of Decorah, IA and Dave Fay of Fredericksburg, IA. She is preceded in death by her parents, three siblings, Kathy, Diane, and Mike Fay, and her godson Jared Baumann.

In lieu of flowers, Joanne requested donations to:

1) Our Lady of the Lake Prayer Garden & Columbarium (https://secure.myvanco.com/L-Z9MB/campaign/C-14X43)

Memorial Donation to Joanne will be directed to the Columbarium Fund 

2) Iowa State University Foundation Sumner-Fredericksburg Scholarship. Memorial contributions may be directed to:

Iowa State University Foundation

2505 University Boulevard 

Ames, IA 50010

https://www.foundation.iastate.edu