Joanne Catherine Mayhew

Joanne Catherine Klasen Mayhew April 25, 1957 – November 18, 2024 The Mayhew and Klasen Families this week lost their most cheerful, loving, and dedicated connector of relationships among family and friends with Joanne’s passing.

Joanne was born in Berkeley, Illinois, on April 25, 1957, to Frances and Walter Klasen. She went to St. Domitilla School in Hillside and attended Proviso West High School, graduating in the spring of 1975. 

She never tired of talking about her happy childhood and her many friends and cherished memories. “Jo” as she was known in the Klasen family, cherished her continued bond with St. Domitilla classmates, seeing many of them this summer while attending the centennial celebration in Berkeley. She was the best baseball player in the Klasen family and brought her talents to the incredible Berkeley Bombers women’s softball team.

Joanne met her husband, Tom Mayhew, in 1976 at the Great Lakes Raceway where Tom and his brothers competed in Super Stock drag races. Joanne attended with her girlfriends hoping to meet guys. And she found one! It wasn’t long before Tom convinced her to move from the big city, and they were married June 24,1978, in Camp Byron, Wisconsin. 

Joanne and Tom bought a seven-acre lot on Wild Goose Road in 1979 and began building their dream home. Tom and Joanne hand-built the “Dome Home” with Joanne bringing up shingles and tar paper. From the distance at night, it looked like a glowing spaceship! 

In Wisconsin, Joanne worked at Ellison Electric as a data processing manager. Tom and Joanne welcomed their daughter, Shasta Frances, in December 1981. Shasta was Joanne’s world, and they would become best friends. In May 1984, the family welcomed Zachary Thomas to the world, and Joanne was beaming. The family was complete. 

Joanne spent the kids’ childhood attending their school plays, activities, and sporting events. She loved making Halloween costumes, throwing themed birthday parties, and enthusiastically celebrating the holidays. Joanne’s faith was integral to her daily life, and her spirituality kept her grounded with her bright shining smile. 

After a vacation out West, Tom and Joanne moved their family in July 1992 to Hailey, Idaho. The family fell in love with the mountains and outdoor lifestyle. They were right at home in Hailey. Quickly gaining lifelong friends, the extended Idaho “family” became their rock. Joanne spent her time learning to skate ski, hike, mountain bike, and spending time relaxing in the sunshine beneath the Sawtooth Mountains at Redfish Lake. 

Joanne and Tom moved out to the country in the fall of 2001. She was adamant that a girl from the suburbs of Chicago should be able to look out the bedroom window and see her horses; her passion—horseback riding—was right out her front door. Her horse, Trinity, brought her joy and companionship. Joanne loved the scenery and especially the serenity. 

Joanne spent countless hours on the phone checking in with friends and family across the country. If you ever got a call from her, you had to be prepared to spend at least an hour catching up. Her brother Len told her he was setting time limits on the calls, but that never worked! 

In 1995, Joanne started working for Power Engineers; the people she worked with quickly became part of her extended family. She retired after 25 years with the company. 

In April 2016, Shasta and Josh welcomed a precious baby girl to the family, Nova Joyce. Nova was the light of Joanne’s life and brought her so much joy. They spent many hours together doing art projects, baking, and creating the most special “Nana” bond. 

Joanne is survived by her husband, Tom; her daughter, Shasta Gilder (husband Josh, stepgrandson Riley and granddaughter Nova); son, Zac Mayhew (wife Abbey Mayhew); brother, Gary Klasen (wife Mary Anne); brother, Len; sister, Susie (husband Dan); beloved extended family; dog, Millie; and countless friends. Joanne is preceded in death by her Father Walter, her Mother Frances, her sister in law Linda, her nephew and godson David. 

Joanne’s devoted family and friends are committed to continuing those very special relationships they had with her by honoring the causes she cared deeply about and supported. In lieu of flowers, please donate in her memory to either Swiftsure Ranch in Bellevue, Idaho, or Mountain Humane in Hailey, Idaho. The family will host a Celebration of Life in the Wood River Valley Spring 2025.