Jo Ann Theodora (Korb) Stan passed away suddenly after a short illness in the early morning of Monday, April 8. Jo is survived by her devoted husband of 67 years, George Stan, five of her six children, Mike Stan (May), Jim Stan, Pat Stan (Lorna), Bill Stan (Sheryl), and Nancy McTygue (Jeff), her sisters Marietta Mancuso and Lyla Gregg, 13 grandchildren, 10 great-grandchildren, and scores of nieces and nephews. She was preceded in death by her daughter, Susan Bridges.
Jo was born in Balta, North Dakota on March 11, 1932 to Ernest and Susie Korb. The third of four daughters, Jo from an early age enjoyed a wide circle of friends, maintaining connections with some for more than six decades.
Jo met the love of her life, George Stan, while staying at a lakeside resort in Canada. A veteran of WWII, George worked as a golf pro at the resort that Jo Ann was visiting. Their whirlwind cross-border courtship resulted in their marriage in 1952. Over the next few years, they lived at various points on both sides of the border as George started his teaching career. Their first son Mike was born soon thereafter, followed quickly by Jim and Susie. They moved to Cloverdale in 1955, and quickly welcomed Pat, Bill, and eventually, Nancy.
Jo devoted these early years of her marriage to raising her growing family and supporting her husband George, a teacher at Cloverdale High School. In 1978, she began a second career, working at Bank of America in Cloverdale. Despite these multiple responsibilities, Jo always found time to be an active member of her church, St. Peter’s, serving as a member of the Altar Society for many years. She also was a devoted and talented bridge player, enjoying decades of friendship with her fellow bridge club members. She enjoyed hosting (and attending) dinner parties with her many friends and family members. And in their later years, Jo and George took joy in their weekly lunches at local eateries throughout Sonoma County with Jo’s sister, Marietta, and her husband, Angelo.
Funeral arrangements are planned for Monday, April 15, 1 p.m. at St. Peters’ Catholic Church, starting with a rosary followed by a funeral mass and reception at the parish hall. The family asks that in lieu of flowers, donations may be made to the Santa Rosa Memorial Hospital Foundation.
