White Funeral Home
400 First Street West
Independence, Iowa 50644

Independence – JoAnn Eschen, 81 years old, of Independence, Iowa, died on Monday, July 20, 2015, at the Buchanan County Health Center Long Term Care in Independence.  She was born on May 29, 1934, in Madison, South Dakota, the daughter of Wilbert Lee and Edna Lucille (Parrish) Terry.  As a child, she moved with her family to Independence.  She graduated from high school in Independence with the Class of 1953.  On September 26, 1954, she and Otto “Junior” Eschen were married at the Little Brown Church in Nashua, Iowa.  For 20 years Mrs. Eschen was a food service worker at the Independence Middle School.  She also sold Avon products.  She was a member of the Order of Eastern Star and the Donut Dollies.  She enjoyed time spent with her family, taking pictures, making scrap books, and traveling.

Mrs. Eschen is survived by her husband of 60 years, Junior, 2 daughters, DeeAnn (Eric) Sage of Dunkerton, Iowa, and Debbie (Mark) Merfeld of Independence, Iowa, 1 son, Dan (Anita) Eschen of Independence, 9 grandchildren, and 13 great grandchildren.  She is also survived by 1 sister, Mary Lee (Vernon) Frasher of Robins, Iowa, and 1 brother, Don (Mary) Terry of Cedar Falls, Iowa.

She was preceded in death by her parents and 1 brother, John Terry.

Funeral Services will be held at 2 p.m. on Thursday, July 23, 2015, at the White Funeral Home in Independence with Pastor Mike Nemmers officiating.  Casket Bearers will be Chad Beck, Jill Erger, Joni Teel, Amy Holle, Stephanie Donley, Staci Beck, Tricia Eschen, Nic Merfeld, and Ryan Merfeld.  Burial will be in Mt. Hope Cemetery in Independence.  Friends may call for visitation from 2:30 p.m. until 7 p.m. on Wednesday, July 22^nd, at the funeral home where a prayer service begins at 7.