Joann Faith Ott, a Valentine’s baby, was born February 14, 1929 in Lansing, MI and spent the next 91 years spreading love wherever she went until she went to be with her Lord and Savior, Jesus Christ on Wednesday, June 10, 2020. Joann was preceded in death by her mother, Lucille Harbaugh of Lansing, MI; her husband, John. A. Ott of Grand Rapids, MI; and her son Eric J. Ott of Trumansburg, NY. She is survived by her daughter, Jackie (Bill) Sleeman of Ada, MI; and grandchildren, Gabrielle and Gracie Sleeman; her daughter, Lisa Ott of Hart, MI; and grandchildren, Joshua Maczka, Kendall Maczka, Noah Wiehn, and Lucas Wiehn; her daughter-in-law, Mary Ott of Trumansburg, NY; and grandchildren, Katrena, David, and Marcus Ott; her cousin (Best Friend FOREVER), Mary Louise Becker of Sylvania, OH. Joann’s early years were spent with her cousin, Mary Louise Becker, who she thought of as her sister and best friend. Their days together were filled with doing chores on the Stoll Family Farm, fetching the cows, and teasing the bull. Joann became a lifetime Spartan after attending MSU. At that time, she joined the Alpha Gamma Delta Sorority, and met the love of her life, John; whom she was married to for 58 years. Her four years at MSU were filled with football games, fraternity dances, and sneaking out of her sorority house window at night to meet up with her favorite Phi Delt, John. After a honeymoon on the Platte River, they packed up and moved to the Garden State of New Jersey. It was there that they formed many lifelong friendships while Joann supported John in his career at American Seating. Their next move took them to Syracuse, NY and then finally landed them in Grand Rapids, MI in July of 1976. After an initial visit to Cascade Christian Church, Reverend Raymond Gaylord showed up on their doorstep that afternoon welcoming them to the church and the community. It was apparent to everyone that met Joann that she had a kind spirit, a giving heart, and a faith like no other…Joann was a friend to all. Her green thumb not only allowed the flowers in her garden to grow, but also cultivated the many friendships she made when joining the Kent County Garden Club in 1977. She proudly served as club president from 1988-1989 and was recognized as a master gardener, master judge emeritus, and given the life member achievement award. You could often find Joann and her garden club friends teaching classes at Ken-O-Sha Elementary School. Some of Joann’s finest days were spent on the shores of Lake Michigan at the cottage that she and John purchased in Shelby, MI. The views of the lake, the rounds of gulf at Benona Shores, the days spent on the beach with kids and grandkids, and the final trip to Whippi-Dip for a scoop of ice cream at night always made for the perfect day. Joann will always be remembered as a loving wife, a caring mother and grandmother, an animal whisperer to Sally, Suki, Mimi, Bebe, Tigger 1 & 2, sweet collie, Bonnie, and a friend to anyone lucky enough to meet her. A private family burial will take place on Monday, June 15 at the Cascade Cemetery. A funeral and celebration of Joann’s life is being planned for the near future. Contributions in Joann’s memory can be made to Cascade Christian Church, 2829 Thornapple Drive, SE, Grand Rapids, MI, 49546.
