Joanne "Jo" Schaller

Jun. 16, 1931 - Jan. 25, 2023

Joanne "Jo" Schaller, passed on to Our Lord at home, peacefully, with family after a long and beautiful life.

Survived by her beloved husband, Robert "Bob" Schaller whom she met on a tennis court over 34 years ago. They soon decided to split their time each year between her home in Knoxville TN, and his family's in Chatham MA, where she also embraced his love of sailing, golf, travel, and endless entertaining with family and friends

Jo was born in Grand Rapids MI, but soon moved to South Bend IN where she spent the rest of her growing years. From an early age she loved an active life, from being a catcher for softball games, to playing tennis, skiing in the Colorado Mts, and hiking in the Smokies. She particularly loved their many sailing trips with Knoxville friends and family in the Caribbean, Bahamas, Maine and Cape Cod, and with Chatham friends in Croatia, Greece, and Spain. Jo was also an avid reader, sharing in a number of book clubs, and loved her years of bridge as well.

Jo surprised her parents when she chose to major in Physical Education and Modern Dance at the University of Wisconsin (Madison), instead of Home Economics at Purdue. It was seldom a surprise when she would do a little dance while waiting at the check-out line, or whenever the music moved her. During her early years of marriage Jo taught High School Physical Education in Milwaukee, WI

Jo's real strength was her endless devotion to her family, church, and communities. Through over a dozen moves across the country, she always put her children's interests and needs first, in education, and supporting their activities.

A faithful member of Cedar Springs Presbyterian Church in Knoxville for over 50 years, she was always active in her church circles, Bible studies, and many outreach programs. She also loved their Congregational Church and friends in Chatham in the summers. It was always her spirit to add a little extra something special to any activity in which she participated.

She was the devoted mother of three children: Dr Clinton Anderson with Sharie Jaeger of Denver, CO and grandchildren Claire and husband Brian Baumgartner, with great-granddaughters, Quinn and Abby of Minneapolis, MN, Lauren Anderson in Boston, MA, and Eric Anderson in Wash DC; Kurt Anderson and wife Beverly of Knoxville, with grandsons Preston and Nathan; and Jeannie and husband Mark Brickey of Guntersville, AL with grandsons Jeffrey, Austin, and Jackson; and two step daughters: Debbie Willsea and Peter of Chatham, MA, and Jeannie Henderson and Pete of Honeoye Falls, NY.

She was preceded in death by her parents, Clinton and Marian Inglefield, and her older sister Jean Gates of South Bend, IN.

Family, friends and loved ones may join Jo in her last dance at Cedar Springs Church Chapel -
Saturday Feb 11 Receiving of friends in Foyer 4:30, Celebration of Jo's life Service 5:30.

Rose Funeral Home

01/16/2024 DEC

https://www.findagrave.com/memorial/249032255/joanne-schaller