Joanne Chmela, 83, of Mitchell, SD, died Saturday, July 17, 2021 at Avera McKennan Hospital in Sioux Falls. Mass of Christian Burial will be 10:30 AM Thursday, July 22, at Holy Spirit Catholic Church in Mitchell. Burial will be at Bendon Cemetery in rural Kimball, SD. Visitation will be from 5-7:00 PM Wednesday, July 21, at Holy Spirit Catholic Church with a 6:30 PM Scripture Service. Arrangements by Bittner Funeral Chapel.

Joanne Elizabeth (Rybak) Chmela was born February 25, 1938 to Clarence and Katherine (Koch) Rybak at home in rural Richland Township, near Bendon in rural Kimball, SD. She was the third child born to Clarence and Katherine, joining her older sister, Mary Ann; older brother, James; and later became a big sister to John, Delores, Margaret, Gen, and Roz. Joanne graduated from Kimball High School in 1956.

Joanne was united in marriage to Marvin Chmela on November 19, 1962 at St. Margaret’s Catholic Church in Kimball. Four children were born to this union: Renee, Dave, Ronnie, and Lori.

Joanne was a member of the Holy Spirit Catholic Church in Mitchell, SD and Ct St Patrick #1699 Catholic Daughters in Kimball.

She was employed at the Midway Truck Stop, Kimball, SD for a number of years (prior to its closing) and the Days Inn, Oacoma, SD before moving to Mitchell.

Jo was a loving wife, mother, grandmother, sister, and aunt. Her hobbies included baking (i.e. brownies, weddings, baptisms, confirmations, and birthday cakes), gardening, playing accordion and piano, and reading. Joanne was also a excellent seamstress.

Joanne is survived by her children, Renee (Dan) Niehus, Dave (Mary) Chmela, and Ronnie (Jean) Chmela all of Mitchell, SD; grandchildren, Tyler Niehus and Kyle Niehus, Mitchell, SD, Ashley Overweg, Sioux Falls, SD and Dylan Chmela, Mitchell SD; step-grandchildren, Zach Martish, Mitchell, SD and Kelly (Lacey) Boik, Grenville, SD; step-great-grandchildren, Caley, Kellin, and Kasen; along with numerous nieces, nephews, cousins, extended family, and friends.

She is preceded in death by her parents; husband; daughter, Lori; sister, Mary Ann Rybak; brothers, James Rybak and John Rybak; two sisters-in-law, Karen DeJong and Maxine Konechne; brothers-in-law, Maynard Chmela and Phillip Konechne; niece-in-law, Darlene Konechne; nephew, Bill Konechne; two step-grandsons, Jordan Martish and Kevin Boik.

Memorials may also be directed to Kimball Catholic Daughters, c/o Nicole Geppert, 25640 368th Ave, Kimball, SD 57355.