- Date Of Birth: April 23, 1929
- Date Of Death: May 17, 2021
- State: Idaho
Lois Joann Coyte Cissel passed away May 17, 2021. She was born in her maternal grandmother’s home, April 23, 1929, in Gunnison, Utah, to Frederick George and Rhoda Jensen Coyte. She was a girl of the West, growing up in Colorado, Idaho, Montana, Wyoming, and Utah.
Joann attended Draper Jr. High, Jordan High School, and graduated in 1951 from the University of Utah with a Bachelor’s degree in Home Economics. Always busy, Joann jerked sodas and sold theater tickets in high school; worked at Hunt Foods, doing cost sheets and payroll, to put herself through college. She taught at Firth High School. After teaching, she managed the cafeteria at Westinghouse. Later, she worked to ensure that the meals in 11 senior centers met federal standards.
Joann met Donald Walter Cissel when she worked at Westinghouse. It was inevitable they should become a couple when they discovered they shared the same birthday.
Joann was an active community member. She was involved with the local chapters of AAUW and PEO. She worked with the Girl Scouts, where she was a troop leader and managed the food purchases for the summer camp. She served as a Pink Lady at the Sacred Heart Hospital and volunteered at the Idaho Falls Food Bank. Joann was an avid supporter of the American Red Cross where she volunteered for over 30 years and donated over 150 pints of blood; one of the highest female donors in the state.
One of Joann’s greatest passions was needle arts. She was the president and active member of the Embroiders’ Guild of America.
Joann is survived by her son, Walter George (Muriel) Cissel of Eugene, OR; daughter, Julia Ellen Cissel of Junction City, OR; and grandson, Calvin Michael Cissel. She was preceded in death by her loving husband; parents; sister, Alice Coyte Kerr; infant sister Carolyn Coyte; and a half sister Mary Harrower.
Joann’s family wishes to express their appreciation for the excellent care and kindness given to Joann by the staff of the Lincoln Court and One Source Hospice.
