Joleen Kearns

Joleen “Jo” Kearns, 76, of Sioux Falls, South Dakota, passed away peacefully on July 3, 2026, at the Centerville Care and Rehab Center.

A Memorial Mass of Christian Burial will be 10:30 AM on Monday, July 20, 2026, at Sacred Heart Catholic Church in Yankton, South Dakota, with Reverend Tom Anderson officiating. The family will receive friends one hour prior to the memorial service on Monday at the Church. Arrangements are under the direction of the Wintz & Ray Funeral Home in Yankton.

The Mass will be live streamed and can be viewed at www.facebook.com/WintzRay. 

In lieu of flowers, memorials may be directed to Centerville Nursing Home or to Ability Building Services.

Jo was born on October 16, 1949, in Yankton, South Dakota, to Alphonse “Bud” and Gertrude “Gertie” (Boecker) Schieffer. She attended school in Crofton, Nebraska, where she formed many lifelong friendships. Early in her career, Jo worked at Fryn’ Pan Restaurant, where fate introduced her to the love of her life, Michael “Mike” Kearns. They were married on April 4, 1992. Together they built a life centered on love, family, friendship, and creating lasting memories.

Jo and Mike were known for their warm hospitality and loved bringing people together. They enjoyed entertaining family and friends at their summer cottage on Pickerel Lake, Minnesota, and at their winter home in Lake Havasu City, Arizona. Whether hosting a holiday gathering, a summer weekend at the lake, or simply sharing good food and conversation, Jo had a special gift for making everyone feel welcome. She was known for her quick wit, and she was a great cook. Her kindness, generous spirit, and her laugh as well as her sassy come backs will be remembered by all who knew her.

Jo will be deeply missed and lovingly remembered for her love of family, her treasured friendships, and the countless happy memories she created throughout her life. Her legacy of love, laughter, and hospitality will live on in the hearts of those fortunate enough to have known her.

She is survived by siblings: Gary (Betty) Schieffer of Randolph, Nebraska; Claudette (Emery) Wiepen of St. Helena, Nebraska; Debbie (Brian) Wiebelhaus of Crofton, Nebraska; and Sharon (Les) Oien of Yankton, South Dakota; brothers-in-law: John Eskins of Wynot, Nebraska and Ron Wieseler of St. Helena; stepsons: Mark Kearns of Seattle, Washington and Shawn Kearns of Portland, Oregon; and step-grandchildren: Isla and Alder Kearns both of Seattle.

She was preceded in death by her husband, Mike; her parents, Bud and Gertie; sister Gladys Leise and her husband, Butch Leise; sisters: Cindy Eskins and Paulette Wieseler; sister-in-law, Pam Schieffer; nephews: Chad Leise and Nick Schieffer; and niece, Jessica Eskins.