JoAnn Anderson-Wright

JoAnn Anderson-Wright, 70, of Cedar Falls, passed away on Saturday, June 22nd at UnityPoint Health Allen Memorial Hospital, following a lengthy illness.

JoAnn was born on November 26, 1953, in Belzoni, Mississippi, the daughter of Albert Anderson and Willie Marie Oden. She was raised in Waterloo, where she graduated high school. She furthered her education at Luther College in Decorah, where she earned her bachelor’s degree in psychology, in 1976. 

She was employed by the University of Northern Iowa for 34 years, under the Trio program and was an academic counselor for undergraduate students. After JoAnn retired from UNI, she found the time to travel, enjoying many different trips. She loved spending time with her family, especially her grandchildren. 

JoAnn was a hard worker, especially advocating for the students she encountered throughout her long career. JoAnn made a difference in people’s lives, whether it was her family, students, friends, or family. She will be deeply missed by all that knew and loved her.

She is survived by her husband Robert C. “Bob” Wright of Cedar Falls; sons Brandon (Lindsay) Creighton of Cedar Falls and Bobby Wright of Joliet, IL; grandsons Jonathan and Brody Creighton of Cedar Falls; goddaughter Nina Jackson of Waterloo and her children Isaiah Johnson and Bacari and Bria Myles; sister Grace Taylor of Waterloo. She rejoins in Heaven her parents; siblings Robert Anderson, Judy Winters, Jeanette Anderson, and Albert Anderson Jr. 

A gathering of friends and family will be held on Monday, July 1st from 11:00 AM to 1:00 PM at Parrott and Wood Funeral Home, 965 Home Plaza, Waterloo, Iowa. Interment will follow at Garden of Memories Cemetery. Memorials may be directed to the family.