JoAnn Bantz

Aug 5, 1941 -

Aug 12, 2023

JoAnn Bantz, teacher and friend to all, passed into the hands of her Lord on Aug. 12, 2023. JoAnn instilled a love of learning and caring for others throughout her life. She will be remembered fondly by the hundreds of students, colleagues and friends whose lives were touched by her love.

JoAnn was born in Oakland, Calif., on Aug. 5, 1941, to Ed and Bernice Bantz. In 1948, the Bantz family, which by then included JoAnn's younger sister, Janet, moved to Anchorage, Alaska. As an elementary school student, JoAnn attended the original Chugach School, North Star School and Quonset Huts. She remembered the huts being so cold that the schoolgirls and female teachers had to wear pants to school – despite the fact that dresses were required at the time! JoAnn graduated from Anchorage High School in 1960. She went on to receive a B.A. in education from Alaska Methodist University in 1963, and a master's in education though the University of Alaska Anchorage in 1979.

JoAnn married Dwane Burgess in 1961, and had two beautiful, wonderful daughters born to that union: Francine Genese and Desiree Rosalie. The marriage ended in divorce. In 1987, JoAnn married Tim Connolly. The two went on to enjoy 36 years of love and lived together in their house on the hillside. JoAnn always felt blessed to have such a glorious place to live and felt close to God looking out her windows over the city.

JoAnn was a lifelong learner and a natural born teacher; she loved her students and loved being a teacher. During her 44-year teaching career, JoAnn's child-centered approach to teaching left a lasting impact on hundreds of Anchorage students and countless teaching partners. JoAnn started her career at Government Hill and retired from the Open Optional Program at Bowman Elementary School. Along the way, she spent time teaching at North Star, Ocean View and Abbott Loop. She will be remembered for providing rich, varied and fun learning experiences for her students. Some of her favorite memories included performing for families, making gingerbread houses after field trips to see the gingerbread village at Captain Cook Hotel, learning about sea animals and meeting families in Homer for weekends of sea-related activities and taking students on field trips to hike and picnic near her family home in the Chugach mountains.

After retiring from teaching in 2005, JoAnn continued to keep a busy schedule, volunteering at several schools around Anchorage and making weekly visits to Campbell Elementary School. JoAnn also joined Delta Kappa Gamma sorority and served as both president and vice president of the organization. JoAnn also enjoyed caring for and playing with grandson Sage, and especially enjoyed taking him to sporting events and participating in his education.

JoAnn was a lifelong member of Trinity Presbyterian Church - originally Woodland Park Presbyterian Church - and was active as an Elder, Sunday school teacher and leader in Presbyterian Women. She was active in the Presbytery of the Yukon and provided ongoing mission support to the people of Anaktuvuk Pass.

JoAnn was preceded in death by her mother and father, Ed and Bernice. She is survived by her daughters, Francine Reuter (Frank) with grandson Sage, and Desiree Burgess (fiance Ryan) of Anchorage; sister, Janet Jones (John) and their two daughters of California; husband, Tim Connolly and his two children and five grandchildren, nieces, nephews and cousins.

Family wishes to thank Providence Hospice Care, Midnight Sun Home Care and staff, nursing and support staff at Providence 5th floor neurology wing and Providence Transitional Care staff for all their care support over JoAnn's final days. Also, a big thank you to all her friends who came to visit over the last few months - it really meant a lot to JoAnn and her family.

A memorial service celebrating JoAnn's life will be held at Trinity Presbyterian Church, 12310 Lorraine Street in Anchorage, on Aug. 26, 2023, at 11 a.m. A celebration of life will be held at Tim and JoAnn's home starting at 2:30 p.m. on Aug. 26, 2023; all those impacted by JoAnn's life are welcome to attend. For directions, call 907-223-9681.

In lieu of flowers, the family request you honor JoAnn by donating to Trinity Presbyterian Church Mission Team.