JoAnn Violet Creason

JoAnn Violet (Niederer) Creason, 84, of Belle was the epitome of a Godly woman with a servant’s heart. She had the ability to make every occasion special whether it was a linen table cloth and cloth napkins, special holiday dishes, a small gift or a short note to let you know she was thinking of you. She made everyone feel cared for and seen. On December 12, 2025, after a lengthy battle with dementia, she went to be with our Lord and Savior.

She was born to Joe and Violet (Twelkemeier) Niederer on November 4, 1941 in St. Louis, Missouri. She attended high school at Assumption High School in O’Fallon, Missouri and graduated in 1959. She had plans to attend nursing school and worked as a nurse’s aide at a local hospital for a time right after high school. Her plans would change when she met a young man that had been in an automobile accident and was in her care.

Their fondness for each other grew and on February 27, 1960, JoAnn married Charles Creason. In 1961 they welcomed a daughter, Cheryl “Cherri” Ann. After residing in St. Louis for a few years, Charlie and JoAnn moved to their farm just outside of Belle in 1967.

Throughout the majority of her working life, JoAnn spent her days caring for children in her home, with the total number well over one hundred. She was highly regarded in the babysitting world of Belle, often times having a waiting list for an opening. She cared deeply for the children she watched, loving on them as if they were her own. There were birthday cards and Christmas gifts for them, many times sending them birthday cards well after they had stopped needing her care. Her meals were from scratch and many learned to eat vegetables during her lunches, because everyone had to try at least a little of everything that was offered.

Outside of her babysitting business, she kept busy within the community as well. She participated in the March of Dimes Walk-A-Thon for many years. She was also actively involved in several community organizations while Cherri was in school. She served as a member of the Belle Booster Club and was a founding Community leader of Hawkeye 4-H Club. Additionally, she was a tireless supporter of Pilot Knob Baptist Church. She was a Sunday School teacher, member of the choir, and served as the director of VBS followed by the lead “refreshment” lady at Vacation Bible School, though she turned that into a full-blown dinner with dessert each night, much to the delight of everyone in attendance.

The highlight of her life was undoubtedly her granddaughters and great-grandchildren. She and Charlie spent many hours at their ballgames and visiting with them until their health no longer allowed.

JoAnn is preceded in death by her parents, husband, daughter, two brothers: Bob (Betty) Niederer and Rich Niederer, sister: Carol (Coy) Vaughn, brother-in-law Dave Kemp, sister-in-law Barb (Sam) Uptegrove, and brother-in-law Bud (Alice) Creason. Those left to cherish her memory include her two granddaughters: Amy (Jordan) Shafer and Ashley (Jeremy) Harris and five great grandchildren: Joelie, Tucker, Raelie, Jensen, and Jaxton; son in-law Craig Marquart, sisters Linda Kemp and Neta (Phillip) Wesley, sister-in-law Debbie (Carl) Heck, as well as many nieces, nephews, and extended family members.

Visitation for JoAnn will be held Saturday, December 27th at Pilot Knob Baptist Church in Belle from 9 a.m. until 11 a.m., with the family being received at 8:30 a.m. The funeral and graveside service will follow with Pastor Jack Kurrelmeyer officiating.

Lunch will be provided after the graveside service in the Fellowship Hall at Pilot Knob Baptist Church.

In lieu of flowers, expressions of sympathy can be made to the YaYas or the Maries County R-II Schools lunch account.