Jo Ann Kraucunas

Jo Ann Kraucunas May 3, 1933 - Aug. 22, 2026 Jo Ann (Erwin) Kraucunas passed away peacefully in her sleep at age 93 on August 22, 2026 in the comfort of her family at her side. Her loving husband Wyette preceeded her in death in February 2020, happily married for 68 years, raising their family of son Robert and daughter Leslie Ann. Jo Ann was born in the small town of Flora, Illinois in May 1933, to parents Robert William and Muriel Erwin. She was born and raised into a very large loving family of six siblings. William (Arizona), Robert (Arizona), Dean (Kansas), and Jerry Lee (Illinois), all have preceeded her in passing. Her one younger sister Jean (Missouri) survives.... as well as several nieces and nephews. A bright and excellent student, earning straight As all through high school, she graduated from Flora High School with honors. She spoke of great times serving/writing for the school year books and school paper. In those late teen years, she worked at the local drug store soda fountain, at a Dairy Queen ice cream stand, and upon graduation she took a job as telephone operator at the town phone company. While employed there, a young electrical telephone pole lineman (Wyette) took notice of her and being a very shy young man, he asked another female employee to ask Jo for a date. The date was arranged and they would be together for the next 70 years. They married in 1952. Already in college at Eastern Illinois Teachers College, he joined The Illinois National Guard. The Korean war broke out and he was called up. They drove to California where she watched him ship out to war. She wrote dozens and dozens of letters to him, uplifting him through the perils of war. Postwar, he resumed his phone company job. Required work travel rendered them gypsies, moving across a three state area, going town to town. Jo, with new baby in tow, would set up temporary housing and support him through these work travels. Soon after, they returned to Eastern where Jo supported Wyette in graduation. That fall he took an Indianapolis teaching position where they would set roots and remain for their lifetime. For the next seven decades she would be the consummate homemaker, devoted wife, and dedicated loving mother of two, happily welcoming daughter Leslie Ann in 1960. Consistently setting the needs of husband and children above her own throughout her entire life...she was the grand epitome of the All American wife and mother. Raising her two children to become successful, university graduates and accomplished career individuals. Years of birthdays, Christmases, Scout Den mother, Homemakers Club matron, school tutor, little league and girls softball mom, graduations, fun filled yearly road trips/vacations all over the country. Supporting her family through all these years - by working - as an AT&T telephone operator (again), as an Avon lady, a Tupperware lady, an office administrator with The American Hardware Assoc., and her longest held position - a Realtor Broker with several top firms. Jo Ann enjoyed many recreations. Camping hiking in the Rockies, snow skiing in Colorado and Indiana, water skiing in the Ozarks, three different bridge clubs, swim trips at The Miramar Club, earning The Red Cross Lap Swim Fitness certificate, trained/became a certified scuba diver with trips to Grand Cayman and Hawaii, and in later years enjoying golf - in three leagues. In retirement, Jo and Wyette were quite the world travelers...Alaska, Hawaii, Ireland, England, France, and several ocean cruises. Jo Ann will always be remembered in many ways...a loving caring sister to her many brothers and sister, a devoted wife to her beloved husband, and a dedicated mother to two children. Her lifelong generosity and sacrifice, her selfless attention to them, putting them first and foremost without reward. She will be remembered for her humor, uplifting spirit, and egoless humility. In lieu of flowers, donations may be made to: woundedwarriorproject.org A private family burial commitment service is arranged. Please leave a personal remembrance, story, or condolences to Jo Ann’s webpage at: flannerbuchanan.com

Memorial contributions may be made to Wounded Warrior Project, PO Box 758517, Topeka, KS 66675.