JoAnne Graham Hallberg

JoAnne (Graham) Hallberg passed away peacefully Oct. 11, 2014, after a 1 ½ year battle with cancer at home with her son holding her hand and her husband’s arm around her. A memorial service will be held at 2 p.m., Wednesday, Oct. 29th at the First Baptist Church, 15 N 10th St, Payette. Inurnment will follow at Riverside Cemetery, Payette. Condolences may be made to JoAnne’s family at www.shaffer-jensenchapel.com.

JoAnne was born June 23, 1946 in Ontario and was the second child of Jack and Marge Graham. She was raised and went from grade school thru high school in Fruitland. She attended as one of the earliest students of Treasure Valley Community College; she was in several clubs and played Powderpuff Football. She went on to graduate from Eastern Oregon University as an English Major in 1968. She taught at Fruitland Jr. High School for one year before moving to Portland, OR. Returning in 1971 she went to work for Ore Ida then American Fine Foods and back to Heinz Ore Ida to retire with 37 years of service in 2008. She was an outstanding cook; her job as Food Technologist was to develop new products for Ore Ida. While at American Fine Foods she developed 19 soups for Con Agra in three months as well as working with two other companies.

After being married briefly to Paul Waldemen she then married Fritz Hallberg in 1983, who considered himself a very fortunate man to marry her. JoAnne always wanted a big family and God provided her with one that included step children from both marriages and an adopted son who was also adopted by Fritz and became his only son. God graces people in many ways.

JoAnne suffered no fools but was generous to all and had a great sense of humor and kindness was ingrained and practiced by her. She loved all things Christmas which she started in July and was sad when Dec. 26th came. Reading, gardening and family get togethers were very high on her long list of favorite things. She loved dogs and treated her pets well. JoAnne was an avid Boise State Broncos fan; watching all their games and being very vocal during them.

JoAnne enjoyed Frank Lloyd Wright architecture and when on a road trip for her work she made side trips to view his work. Remodeling and decorating our homes was a passion. Fritz kidded her that their marriage vows should have said “Love, Honor and Remodel the House”.

Her mother Marge Graham precedes her in death. She is survived by her 100 year old father Jack Graham; her greatly saddened husband Fritz Hallberg; a son Graham Hallberg; five step-children; three step-granddaughters; two step-great grandsons and two step-great granddaughters; her siblings Judith Holman (Mike), Mari Lou Smith (Sid), Janis Dillard and David Graham (Michelle); one niece and four nephews. Her death is considered a great loss by all her in-laws who loved her dearly as well as all her wonderful friends from school, work, garden club and church.

To all our friends and family we thank you very much for all the joy you have brought us and for being there helping out in JoAnne’s final year.

In lieu of flowers, you may send a donation to the American Cancer Foundation, c/o Shaffer-Jensen Memory Chapel, PO Box 730, Payette, ID 83661.