JoAnne Ruth Mootz Taylor

JoAnne Ruth (Mootz) Taylor, 75, of Fruitland, lost her battle with cancer and went to her Father in heaven on Monday, July 29, 2013. Funeral services will be held at 10 a.m., Monday, Aug. 5, 2013 at Corpus Christi Catholic Church, Fruitland. Interment will follow at Park View Cemetery, New Plymouth. Services and arrangements are under the direction of Shaffer-Jensen Memory Chapel, Fruitland. Condolences may be made to JoAnne’s family at www.shaffer-jensenchapel.com.

JoAnne was born March 14, 1938 in Stayton, OR to Peter J. and Margaret L. Mootz; she was the seventh child of seven siblings. A few years later her parents applied for a homestead and moved their family to Fruitland. She was raised in Fruitland, working on her family’s farm and at the local cannery, attending Fruitland High School. Her brother Bud introduced her to Merrill Max Taylor, whom she fell in love with and married on April 6, 1956, making their home in Fruitland. In April 1957, JoAnne gave birth to her daughter, Karen Louise. Due to Max’s job transfer, the family moved to Burley, ID where Robert Lee was born in Sept. 1963. The family soon moved to Boise, then Meridian, and finally back to their hometown of Fruitland in 1973.

JoAnne was a beautiful, loving Wife, Mom, Grandma, and Great Grandma not only to her own kids but to their friends as well. She loved and was very supportive of her children; always offering kind words and loving advice. She had a love for animals and they loved her; never turning away a stray.

She enjoyed NASCAR, football, crossword puzzles, watching TV cooking shows, soaps were her favorite, loved country music and Elvis always made her smile. She was a great cook; potato salad and holiday fudge were her specialties. JoAnne and Max enjoyed bowling and playing pinochle back in the day. She will be truly missed by all who knew and loved her.

JoAnne is survived by her daughter, Karen Taylor of Pasadena, CA; son, Robert Taylor of Fruitland; grandsons, Jerry Max Taylor of Vancouver, WA and T.J. Lee Woods of Pasadena, CA; two great grandchildren and several nieces and nephews. She was preceded in death by her husband, Max; her parents; brothers, Justin and Bud; sisters, Betty Klozar, Mary Reis, Marcie Platz, and her twin who passed at birth.

In lieu of flowers, the children ask contributions be made in JoAnne’s memory to the Payette Partners Animal Rescue Ranch, c/o Shaffer-Jensen Memory Chapel, P.O. Box 730, Payette, ID 83661.