Ottumwa, Iowa - Jo Anne Schwartz Brain, 94, of Ottumwa passed away on June 2, 2025 at Vista Woods Care Center in Ottumwa, Iowa.

Jo Anne was born on December 30, 1930 in Waukegan, Illinois. She was the oldest child and only daughter of Harry J. Schwartz and Irene Louth Schwartz. Jo Anne graduated from Ottumwa High School in 1948.

Jo Anne met Dean Brain at the Hedrick First United Methodist Church in 1950. They married on September 30, 1950 and had four children: Linda (Rick) Abel of Hedrick, Stephen Michael (Anne) of Cedar Rapids, Clark (Teresa) of Hedrick, and Teri (Greg) Summers of Florence, Alabama.

Jo Anne and Dean made their home on Eastside Farms in Hedrick, Iowa, where Dean farmed with his father. Jo Anne worked in the offices of the John Morrell & Company Meat Packing Plant in Ottumwa, Iowa after she graduated from high school. She became the Key Punch Supervisor, documenting the processes to create shipping lists and other documents using an IBM mainframe and key punch cards. Jo Anne supervised about a dozen women until 1973.

In February 1951, Dean enlisted in the U.S. Army, stationed at Ft. Campbell, Kentucky. Jo Anne traveled to see him several times, and they spent weekends in Nashville visiting the Grand Ole Opry, the Parthenon, and President Jackson's home, The Hermitage. In Hedrick, Jo Anne managed both a full-time job and the home.

In 1974, Jo Anne joined Dean and his brother, Carl, in the day to day running of the Hedrick Elevator until she retired in 1992.

In 1970, Jo Anne and Dean purchased a camper and a boat and began a 30 year tradition of camping at Lake Rathbun. Jo Anne became skilled at cooking over an open campfire and she learned to water ski, with the help of liquid courage. She and Dean made friendships with other campers that lasted the rest of their lives.

Jo Anne and Dean traveled to all 50 states and many Caribbean Islands and countries. They enjoyed spending many winters traveling to Texas and Florida, but their favorite spot was Key Largo. In 2000, they bought a second home in Homestead, Florida and lived their winters there until 2019. They enjoyed 14 cruises in the Caribbean, as well as through the Panama Canal.

Jo Anne was an avid reader and shared that gene with all of her children. She commonly sorted the books into categories and passed them along to the respective son or daughter. She also boxed books and mailed them to her brothers, Hank and Dean Robert, in California. She borrowed scores of books from the Key Largo and Homestead libraries over the years.

Through their lifelong marriage, Jo Anne and Dean played card games with family and friends. Jo Anne "coached" all of her children to play well, and introduced Uno, Pinocle, Pitch, and many other games at family gatherings.

Jo Anne was a member of the Order of Eastern Star Ottumwa Chapter #112 for 75 years, holding all of the offices at her chapter, including Worthy Matron. She was also a member of Hedrick-Martinsburg First United Methodist Church for over 70 years.

After Dean passed in 2019, Jo Anne moved to Pennsylvania Place in Ottumwa, Iowa. She had many friends and staff with whom she socialized.

In addition to her parents, Jo Anne was preceded in death by her husband, Dean; two brothers, Henry Schwartz, and Dean Robert Schwartz and his wife, Sharon; two grandsons, Ryan and Robbie Abel. She is survived by her four children; seven grandchildren: Cherie Westendorf, Doug Brain, Chris Brain, Bethany Brain, Dan Brain, Amanda Eastlick, and Zac Brain; and 17 great-grandchildren.

Her body has been cremated. Private graveside services to honor Jo Anne will be held. Inurnment will be in Brooks Cemetery.

Memorials may be made to the Hedrick Community Church or the Hedrick Public Library.

Reece Funeral Home is in charge of arrangements.