Born in Independence MO 1936 to Oscar & Pearl (Hurshman) Potter. JoAnn grew up in Independence MO. Graduated from William Crisman High in 1953. She worked at the Hallmark Card company for a while after High School. While visiting her cousin at Ellsworth AFB she met and Married Sgt. Merton Rima in November 4 1955 in the South Chapel on Ellsworth AFB. Together they lived in numerous places around the country. They lived at Ellsworth AFB until 1957 when they moved to Forbes AFB Topeka Kansas. While stationed at Forbes AFB near Topeka KA. in 1958 their first child, a daughter, Denise was born. Sgt Rima was sent to Iceland in 1959.While Sgt Rima was in Iceland JoAnn lived with her mother and step father in Los Gatos CA. Their son David was born in August 1959 in San Jose CA. After Sgt Rima returned to the U.S. they were stationed at Mountain Home AFB Idaho where they stayed for 3 years and again Sgt Rima was transfered over seas. This time to the Panama Canal Zone. The family joined Sgt Rima after about 8 months. While in Panama JoAnn was active with the NCO Wives club and also her sons Little league soft ball team, she was the official score keeper for the team. They remained there until June of 1966 and were then transfered to Hill AFB near Ogden Utah. Fourteen months after being assigned there Sgt Rima was transferred to the retired Reserves of the Air Force and they all moved to Grand Rapids MN.in 1967. In 1973 the family elected to go to Dickinson ND on a business venture. While in Dickinson JoAnn had to have her right kidney removed because of cancer. There was evidence some cancer remained and she died of cancer in June 1977. She was survived by her husband Merton, her Mother Pearl Wood, her Father Oscar Potter, her daughter Denise, her son David, a brother Fred Potter and a Brother Frank Potter along with nephews and cousins.
Arrangements by Price Lisko & Henning of Dickinson & Libby-Crotteau Funeral Home of Grand Rapids.