JoAnn A. Piechota

JoAnn A. Piechota, 75, of Ashton, died Wednesday, July 29, 2015, at the Howard County Medical Center in St. Paul. Services will be at 10:30 a.m. Monday the St. Francis Catholic Church in Ashton. The Revs. Marty Egging, Alex Borzych and Mike McDermott will officiate. Inurnment will be in the St. Francis Catholic Cemetery in Ashton. Visitation will be Sunday from 5 to 6 p.m. at the church, with a 6 p.m. vigil service. Peters Funeral Home of Loup City is in charge of the arrangements. Mrs. Piechota was born on Dec. 12, 1939, at Ashton, the daughter of Steven P. and Mary M. “Marie” (Smolla) Kaslon. She was united in marriage to Robert A. “Bob” Piechota on April 4, 1959, in Ashton. She is survived by her husband, Bob Piechota of Ashton; son and daughter-in-law, Robert Jr. and Jeanne Piechota of Sioux City, Iowa; daughter and son-in-law, Cheryl and Mike Kosmicki of Ashton; five sisters and three brothers-in-law, Rita Borzych of St. Paul, Phyllis Piechota of Ashton, Lois and Kenny Maschka of Ashton, Virginia and Larry Nollette of Omaha and Carol and Mike Aliano of Omaha; four brothers and sisters-in-law, Richard and Grace Kaslon of Stinnett, TX, Jim and Cindy Kaslon of Grand Island, Steve and Penny Kaslon of Colorado Springs, CO and David and Dana Kaslon of Blair. She also leaves to cherish her memory, five grandchildren, Courtenay Piechota, Cameron Piechota, Connor Piechota, Zach and Tawsha Paremske and Jordan Kosmicki; and numerous nieces and nephews. JoAnn grew up in Ashton where she attended St. Francis parochial school and was a 1958 graduate of Ashton High School. After she and Bob were married they lived in various places while he served in the U.S. Air Force, including Denver, CO, Tacoma, WA, Izmir, Turkey and Colorado Springs, CO. In 1968, she began her career as a cosmetologist and in 1970, she started the International Beauty Academy in Colorado Springs, where she was the owner, manager and instructor until 1995. She also served on the State of Colorado Examining Board for Barbers and Cosmetologists. In 1995, the couple returned to Ashton, where she and her daughter, Cheryl owned and operated the Golden Touch Beauty Salon. Due to failing health, she retired in 2012. JoAnn was a member of St. Francis Catholic Church where she was active in the Council of Catholic Women, was a CCD teacher, and served as a Eucharistic Minister and on the Parish Council. She was also a member of the Ashton American Legion Auxiliary. JoAnn enjoyed crossword puzzles, gardening, crocheting and casino trips. She and Bob enjoyed traveling and taking cruises. Her greatest love was trips to Hawaii, where she and Bob visited numerous times. She was preceded in death by her parents, Steven and Marie Kaslon; brother, Donald Kaslon; and two brothers-in-law, Edward Borzych and Phil Piechota. Memorials are suggested to the family's choice.