Mary "Joann" Bohr

Mary "Joann" Pettus Beiland Bohr, a lifelong resident of Oklahoma, died Thursday the 22nd of December in her home. She was born in Tulsa, Ok on July 31, 1928 and subsequently moved to Hitchcock, Oklahoma where she was raised. She graduated from the Hitchcock High School. She held her first job as a legal assistant where she met her beloved husband, Lewis Henry Bohr, a county assessor and subsequent legislator for the Oklahoma House of Representatives. They were engaged on Valentine's Day of 1948 and were married June 1st of that same year at St. Rose Parish in Watonga. Joann received a Bachelor of Education from Southwestern Oklahoma State University and subsequently achieved a M. Ed. in Art Education from the University of Central Oklahoma. She was a beloved teacher and taught kindergarten for many years in Greenfield and Watonga. In 1975, they relocated to Oklahoma City after Lewis accepted a position with the Oklahoma State Tax Commission. Joann accepted a teaching position with Piedmont Elementary School where she subsequently taught first grade for many years. In the evening, she taught art classes at Oklahoma City Community College. After retiring from teaching in the public school system she accepted a position with St. Charles Borromeo Catholic School where she taught first grade under principle Joe Sine for many more years. After retiring, Joann continued her love of teaching by working as an adjunct professor in Adult Art Education teaching painting classes for Francis Tuttle Technology Centre. Joann and Lewis were active Catholics and held many positions of service at St. Rose in Watonga and subsequently at Epiphany of the Lord Catholic Church in Oklahoma City where they were founding members and where Joann was an active parishioner until the time of her illness. Joann loved painting, gardening, baking, being of service to others and caring for her children, grandchildren and great-grandchildren. She loved growing up on the farm in Hitchcock and often shared stories about the many chores and tasks involved in running a farm. She had a tireless work ethic and valued education and hard work. She also took great delight in teaching art and teaching children to read. Joann is preceded in death by her father Arthur C. Pettus, her mother Sarah Helene Rueb, her step-father Jack Beiland, her beloved husband Lewis Henry Bohr and many aunts, uncles and cousins whom she adored. She is survived by her two daughters, Candis Ann Giger Holloway and Sandra Louise Heinen and her husband Joe. She is also survived by her six grandchildren, and her ten great-grandchildren. Joann was an only child but had many cousins, aunts, uncles, nieces and nephews whom she loved and adored. An evening prayer service will be held at 7pm on Tuesday, December 27th at Smith & Kernke Chapel. Mass of Christian burial will be celebrated at 2pm on Wednesday, December 28th at Epiphany of the Lord Catholic Church. Memorial gifts may be made to INTEGRIS Foundation, Dr. R. Murali Krishna Family Eliminate the Stigma of Mental Illness Fund, 3030 NW Expressway #1600, Oklahoma City, 73112; American Lung Association or St. Charles Borromeo Catholic School, 5000 N. Grove, Warr Acres, 73122.