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Mrs. Martha JoAnne Sabo

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Martha, daughter of Walter and Elsie Boettger, died peacefully in her home at The Heritage Tradition in Sun City West, AZ, on February 9, 2020 at the age of 80.

JoAnne is survived by her devoted husband of 57 years, Stephen Louis Sabo; her two sons, James Robert and Stephen Michael of St. Louis; her two grandchildren, Kellie Christine and Stephen Walter also of St. Louis; and her sister, Roberta Ruth Buxton of Leesburg, VA.

JoAnne was born in St. Louis, MO and moved to Mountain Home, AR in 1954. There she attended Mt. Home high school and then studied one year at Arkansas State Teachers College. She returned to St. Louis to attend secretarial school and developed an interest in spelunking with the Middle Mississippi Valley Grotto, where she met her husband to be.

JoAnne was a woman of many talents. While raising her two children and tending to her husband’s needs she found time to be a Den Mother for the Cub Scouts, a swimming instructor at Webster pool, work part time at Golterman & Sabo as well as H & R Block, and also take disco dance lessons. She earned her pilots license, flew for the Missouri Highway Patrol, became a member of the Civil Air Patrol and the Ninety-Nines, an all women pilots association. To add to her resume, she flew commercially for at least two companies.

After moving to Arizona, JoAnne was involved in numerous clubs and organizations. She was active in her church and bible study group.

In her battle against Parkinson Disease she was involved in experimental treatment programs, determined to help find a cure for the next generation. JoAnne’s was a life fully lived.