JoAnn A. Iliff

Obituary

JoAnn Alice (Vedder) Iliff was born on April 9, 1947, in Wahpeton, North Dakota. She was the daughter of Orin and Viola (Trittin) Vedder. JoAnn was baptized on May 4, 1947, by Pastor Michael at home in Elma Township, North Dakota, and was later confirmed in her faith as a youth on March 16, 1961, by Pastor Truog at Immanuel Lutheran Church in Hankinson, North Dakota. JoAnn spent her early years growing up with her five siblings, Charlene, Lyle, Lowell, Mark, and ReNae on a small farm just outside Hankinson. She received her early education (grades 1-8) at a country school near her home. She received her high school education in Hankinson and graduated from Hankinson High School with the class of 1965. She continued her education at the Wahpeton State School of Science now known as North Dakota State College of Science.

After school, she moved to Minneapolis, Minnesota, where she began her 35-year career with General Mills. She lived there with her sister, Charlene, and her daughter, Becky, for 6 years before meeting Carl Mac Iliff at a church singles dance.

On June 11, 1976, JoAnn was united in marriage to Carl M. Iliff at St. Paul’s Lutheran Church in Minneapolis, Minnesota. JoAnn and Carl made their home in Glencoe for the last 48 years. Their marriage was blessed with four children, Patricia, Richard, Carl Jr., and Becky. JoAnn and Carl shared over 48 years of marriage.

JoAnn retired from General Mills at the age of 55 in 2002. She spent most of her time after that enjoying being with her family, supporting Carl at CMI Equipment & Engineering, Inc., and traveling. She and Carl traveled to many places including Germany, Belgium, Austria, Italy, Ireland, and Panama, but their trip to China was her favorite. She was an avid reader and enjoyed embroidering and doing puzzles. JoAnn loved tending to her gardens and spending time in the kitchen baking. She was known for her delicious chocolate chip cookies. JoAnn relished sitting in her chair on the porch watching birds while looking out over her flower garden. JoAnn was an active member at First Evangelical Lutheran Church in Glencoe and volunteered with the Ladies’ Alter Guild for many years. 

JoAnn Alice Iliff, a loving mother to Patricia, Richard, Carl Jr., and Becky passed away peacefully on January 21, 2025, at the age of 77 after a two-year battle with ovarian cancer. Her unwavering strength and spirit will continue to inspire her family and friends. Blessed be her memory.

JoAnn leaves behind her
Husband, Carl Iliff of Glencoe, MN;
Children, Patricia DeGlopper of Corpus Christi, TX,
                Richard Iliff of Woodstock, GA,
                Carl Iliff Jr. and his wife, Kim, of Chanhassen, MN,
                Becky Iliff of Park Ridge, IL;
Grandchildren, Justin Iliff, Nikolas Iliff, Krystal Weber, Matthew DeGlopper, Kendra Iliff;
Great-Grandchildren, Brian, Emmitt, Kori, Colton, Kyan, Isaiah, Copley;
Siblings, Charlene (Arnie) Althoff of Hankinson, ND, Mark Vedder of Hankinson, ND, ReNae Gereszek of Hankinson, ND;
Sisters-in-law, Belinda Vedder of Hankinson, ND, Jean Iliff of Colorado Springs, CO, Carlynn Noh of Twin Falls, ID;
Many Nieces, Nephews, Other Relatives, Friends, and Loved Ones.

JoAnn was preceded in death by her Father and Mother, Orin and Viola Vedder; Brothers, Lyle Vedder and Lowell Vedder; Father-in-law and Mother-in-law, Tom and Helen Iliff; Brothers-in-law, John Gereszek, Michael Iliff, and Dick Noh; and Sisters-in-law, Kim Vedder and Melinda Abrams.