Joann N. Peter

Joann Nell Peter, 86, from Maryville, Missouri, passed away peacefully, surrounded by family, at Mosaic Medical Center in Maryville, MO, on Monday, December 30, 2024.  

Joann was born in Overbrook, Kansas on May 16, 1938, to Earl and Nellie (Leuf) Shipps. She attended Graham High School, graduating in 1956. Joann’s first marriage was to George Andrew Wolfe and from that union came two children, Deb and Rick Wolfe. On July 7th , 1981, Joann joined in marriage with Jerry Peter, recently celebrating 43 years of marriage.  

Throughout her career, Joann worked as a receptionist for the Co-Op, Graham High School, and St. Francis Hospital in Maryville, MO. In 1977, Joann began her 20+ years of working at the Energizer Plant in Maryville, MO, where she was affectionately known as “Ma” for all of her motherly advice.  

Joann was a devoted mother, wife, grandmother, and great-grandmother. She enjoyed traveling, and in her later years, embraced being a “Texas Snowbird”, making many shopping trips to Mexico with her good friends. An avid quilter, Joann spent her time making new creations for her friends and family. Joann was known for her green thumb, always having the “prettiest flower beds”, and for the times she spent experimenting in the kitchen. Loved ones remember Joann as, “small but spunky and definitely quick witted, a thoughtful gift giver, and how she was always ready to give the best advice.” 

Joann is survived by her husband, Jerry L. Peter. Other survivors include her sister, Gayle Shipps-Lamb; her daughter, Deb and Duane Parman of Sheridan, MO, and their children, Josh and Laura Parman, Kally Jo and Tim Haer, and Wayde and Megan Parman; her daughter-in-law, Jette Wolfe of Hope, KS, and her children, Ashli Austerman, and Ivy Small. She is also survived by her stepsons, Ronald and Terry Peter of Hamilton, TX; Roger and Cindy Peter of Maryville, MO; Rex and Vanessa Peter of Skidmore, MO; and Robert and Dawn Peter of Graham, MO. Additionally, Joann leaves behind numerous nieces, nephews, cousins, 10 great-grandchildren, and 12 step-grandchildren. 

 Joann is preceded in death by her parents, Earl and Nellie (Leuf) Shipps; her siblings, Dayle and Garland Shipps; her son, Rick Wolfe; and her stepsons, Roy and George (Rusty) Peter. 

 A funeral service will be held on Friday, January 3, 2025, at 2:00 PM, at the Bram Funeral Home, Maryville, Missouri. The burial will be in the Prairie Home Cemetery, Graham, Missouri, at a later date.  

The family will receive friends at the funeral home for one hour prior to the service.  

In lieu of flowers, donations may be made to the New Nodaway Humane Society in Joann Peter’s honor.