Josephine "Jo" Twit

   Josephine (Jo), daughter of Clarence and Rufina (Kosmoski) Grabarkiewicz, was born February 8, 1925, at Austin, MN, where she attended school.  On September 15, 1947, Jo was united in marriage with Joseph T. Twit at St. Augustine Church in Austin.

   The family lived for a time in Austin, until the couple purchased Olerich Funeral Home in Carroll, IA, in 1954.  Four children were born to this union.  Jo and Joe, along with their son Tom, owned and operated the Twit Funeral Home together for over 50 years.  Jo was a member of the Catholic Daughters of America, Holy Spirit women’s guild and a founding member of St. Anthony Hospital Auxiliary. In addition to being a loving mother and grandmother, she was always an active volunteer in her church and community.  Jo enjoyed doing cross-stitch, playing cards, entertaining her family and friends and simply visiting over coffee. 

   Joe died in 2007 and Jo moved to Ames in 2012 to be closer to her daughters.  She was a member of St. Cecilia’s Church in Ames.  Jo lived independently until just a few days before her death at Israel Family Hospice House in Ames on December 21, 2015.  She was 90 years, 10 months and 13 days of age.

   Jo is preceded in death by her parents; husband Joseph Twit; and son-in-law Jon Martin.

   She is survived by her children: Tom (Sue) Twit of Bennington, NE, and their children: Kimberly (Scott) Syslo, Chris (Jerry) Mensinger, T.J. (Katie) Twit and Matthew (fiancé Katie Dethlefs) Twit; Dr. Jerry (Pam) Twit of Stevens Point, WI, and his children: Dr. Shan (Nicole) Twit, Brent Twit, Shayla Twit, Ayse (Yannick) Reyering, and Carsen; Judy (Mike) Gilger of Ames and their children: Keiva (Blake) Delaney; M.J. Gilger and Justin (Danielle) Gilger; Diane Martin of Ames and her children: Ryan (Stacy) Martin, Nathan (Leah) Martin and Marissa (Joe) Woodske; great grandchildren: Elizabeth, Jack, Isabella Josephine, Leo, Max, Ted, Gus, Ashley, Lily, Logan, Miles, Hadley, Everett and an expected great grandson; brother Dale (Joyce) Grabarkiewicz of Rochester, MN; other relatives and friends.

Reverend Tim Johnson, Celebrant

Lectors
Tom Twit and Dr. Jerry Twit

Gift Bearers
Jo’s Granddaughters

Music

“Silent Night”  John Wagner, Vocalist

“Ave Maria”   “Hail Mary, Gentle Woman”

Holy Spirit Choir    

Barb McDermott, Accompanist

 
Casket Bearers

Jo’s Grandsons

 
Jo’s family wishes to express their gratitude for your kindness and invites you to join them for a reception at

the Greteman Center following the committal service.