Joanne VanOs Allcott-Buettgenbach passed away peacefully in her home in Ucon, Idaho on Wednesday, April 4, 2007 following a courageous ten year battle with cancer. She was born Oct. 17, 1931 in Salt Lake City, Utah, to Cornelius Gerardus VanOs and Gerdina Maaike Maria van Tussenbroek who emigrated from the Netherlands. Joanne graduated from West High School in Salt Lake City with Honors at the age of 16. She married Gordon A. Allcott in Salt Lake City where their first child was born. Shortly thereafter they moved to Dragerton, Utah, where four additional children were born. Following a brief move to Salt Lake City, Utah where their sixth child was born, the family moved to Idaho Falls, Idaho in 1965. They later divorced. In 1974, she married Jack Buettgenbach and moved to the Boise Valley. Joanne was a state AAU swimming and diving champion in Utah, a title she held until she had children. She enjoyed swimming and diving and instructed classes for many years. She was also an accomplished bowler and golfer in her earlier years. She was an office manager in several medical offices throughout her working life. However, her life was entirely devoted to her children, grandchildren, and great-grandchildren. She is a member of the LDS Church. Joanne is survived by her husband, Jack Buettgenbach, and her children: Bruce (Maureen) Allcott of Burley, Debra (Merlin) Andersen of Firth, Shauna (Jon) Holst of Ucon, Denise (Robert) Bullen of Idaho Falls, Kevin (Lynn) Allcott of Bountiful, Utah, and Allen (Candace) Allcott of Maricopa, Ariz., 28 grandchildren, and 21 great grandchildren. Also surviving are her stepchildren: Marjorie Ann (Guy) Pilote of Caldwell, Cheryl Murray of Littleton, Colo., Sandra (Stan) Spence of Nampa, 12 grandchildren and 17 great-grandchildren. Joanne is also survived by a sister, Helen (Ray) Varley, and twin brothers, Adrian and William (JoAnn) VanOs, all of Salt Lake City. Joanne was preceded in death by her parents, stepdaughter, Jane Murray, and grandson, Jacob Allcott. In accordance with her wishes, there will be no formal funeral services. The family will greet friends and relatives at a viewing to be held on Monday, April 9, 2007, from 1 - 2:30 p.m. at the Coltrin Mortuary, 2100 East 1st Street in Idaho Falls. Interment will follow at the Iona Cemetery on 1st Street. In lieu of flowers, the family requests donations may be made to The Aspen Foundation for Hospice Care, 3470 Washington Parkway, Idaho Falls, Idaho 83404. Online condolences may be made to the family at www.coltrinmortuary.com .


Published in the Idaho Statesman on 4/6/2007.