Johanna Dewees

Johanna Dewees, 90, of Thurmont, MD entered into heaven to be with her loving husband, John, on September 21, 2023.  She was born in Pale, Yugoslavia on April 1, 1933, to Valentine Titus Ecker and Adele Petric Ecker. She met the love of her life, John Dewees, while he was stationed in Germany during the Korean War. After meeting his angel at the Golden Angel in Baumholder, Germany, John and Johanna were married on November 22, 1954, before moving back to Thurmont.

Johanna loved to cook, bake, sew, crochet, and read. She worked as a cook for the Sisters of Charity and spent fifteen years as a cook at USAMRIID at Fort Detrick. Johanna also enjoyed cooking and baking cookies for her family, especially during the holidays! Many enjoyed her German/Yugoslavian cooking, including her famous cabbage rolls and Christmas sugar cookies. Johanna loved hosting Christmas Eve at her home with her entire family for many years and was constantly sewing and crocheting items for her children, grandchildren, and great-grandchildren. She also spent a lot of time playing dominoes with her husband, John, and putting together puzzles. She was always there for her family when needed and surpassed life's hurdles by living by her motto that "You can do anything you put your mind to!"

Johanna leaves behind her five loving children: Heide (Terry) Daugherty, Susie (Steve) Gills, Sandy (Bill) Eyler, Greg (Susie) Dewees, and Marty (Daryll) Rippeon. She is also survived by her grandchildren: John (Kristi) Spahr, Jeremy (Beth) Gills, Trisha (Mike) Victor, Daniel (Kristin) Gills, Chad Dewees, Brad (Amanda) Eyler, Branndi Dewees, Joel (Brandi) Gills, Ashton (Patrick) Monacelli, James Sanger, Terry Daugherty, Eric Daugherty, Sarah (Andrew) Nelson, and Kyle (Melissa) May. She also has 23 great-grandchildren and three great-great-grandchildren. Johanna was preceded in death by her parents, her husband John, and siblings, Rudolf, Rose, Maria, Josef, Eduard, Alois, Alfons, and Elisabeth.

 
The family will receive visitors at Stauffer Funeral Home, 104 East Main Street in Thurmont, MD on Sunday, October 1, 2023 from 1:00-3:00 pm and 5:00-7:00 pm. A funeral service will be held on Monday, October 2, 2023 at 11:00 am at the funeral home, internment will follow at Resthaven Memorial Gardens.

In lieu of flowers, donations may be made to Daybreak Adult Daycare Services or the Kline Hospice House.