Joan Messerly
Joan D. Messerly, 93, of Fort Dodge passed away at the Marian Home on Friday, October 3, 2025. A funeral service will be held at 10:30 a.m. on Wednesday, October 8, 2025 at the Gunderson Funeral Chapel with burial following at North Lawn Cemetery. Visitation will be held from 9:30-10:30 a.m. prior to the service at Gunderson Funeral Home & Cremation Services.
Joan was born in Waterloo, IA, on February 7, 1932, to Peter and Evelyn Anderson. At a young age, the family moved to Fort Dodge. Joan was a graduate of Corpus Christi Academy in 1950. On September 8, 1951, Joan was united in marriage to Ronald Messerly. Over the years she worked at Duncan’s Book Store, Wigdahl’s Book Store and Connie’s Corner. Joan loved spending time with her family. With her quick wit and sense of humor, the time shared was filled with much laughter. In her quiet times, she loved reading.
Joan is survived by her children Michael Messerly, Laura (Jim) Richman and Julie (Mike) Shoopman all of Fort Dodge; grandchildren Chad (Kayla) Messerly, Cortney (Alan) Allbee, Ronny (Heidi) Lennon, Aaron Lennon, Mari (John) Newman, Jennifer (Scott) Lennon, Jill Lennon and Josh Shoopman; several great-grandchildren; 1 great-great-grandchild and her sisters Donna Arbuckle of Waterloo, IA, and Barbara Brunkhorst of Colfax, CA. She was preceded in death by her husband Ronald; parents Peter Anderson and Evelyn Lauden; daughter-in-law Linda Messerly; grandson Jamie Lennon; and sisters Geraldine Sandven and Patricia Schutte.
Memorials may be left to the discretion of the family.