Joanne Riefkohl

Escalante, Utah – Our loving mother, Joanne Marie Riefkohl, age 89, passed away at her home in Escalante on August 13, 2024, surrounded by her family.

She was born April 30, 1935 to Lonnie and Beatrice Johnson Loyd in Quemado, Texas. She was a dear sister to Donald (Dorothy) Loyd and Cleo (Delia) Loyd.

She married August Lewis Riefkohl December 26, 1955 in Buckeye, Arizona. August had been drafted into the Army and deployed to Germany two weeks after their wedding. They were married until August’s passing in 2006.

A graduate from ASU in a BA in education, Joanne dedicated 40 plus years of her life to shaping young minds in special education.

Joanne read 4 to 6 books a week and when she wasn’t reading, she had her nose in a puzzle book. She was a wonderful artist and has sold paintings to well-known celebrities. She was a fantastic cook, passing her skills on to her children and sharing her delicious recipes with family and friends. She loved musicals and opera, especially Andrea Bocelli.

She is survived by her brother, Cleo (Delia) Loyd and her five children: Diana (Stephen) Steed, Dawna Jones, Shana Littlefield, August Riefkohl Jr., and Kenneth Riefkoh. She was blessed with 19 grandchildren; 49 great-grandchildren and 3 great-great-grandchildren with 4 more on the way.

She is preceded in death by her parents, Lonnie and Beatrice Loyd; her brothers: Donald and John Loyd; her husband, August Riefkohl and two grandsons: Ryan and Brandon Carter.

A celebration of her life will be held at the Escalante Showhouse.