Joann Day Prochello

On Wednesday, August 20, 2025, surrounded by family and dear friends, Joann Day Prochello left this life to enter into eternal joy with our Lord Jesus.

Joann was born on October 8, 1939, to Willard & Pauline (Betz) Smith of Sioux City IA.

She graduated from Bishop Heelan Catholic High School. She married William Rickord and had 4 children together. Mike Rickord, Bill (Ann) Rickord, Julie (Mark) Adam & Michele (Kent) Ulveling.

Joann graduated from Briar Cliff College and spent her career as a math teacher in the Sioux City schools. She veered from the curriculum to make sure her students had practical skills like balancing a checkbook and calculating percentages to take advantage of one of her favorite things… a good sale.

She received a master’s degree from the University of Iowa but possibly held an honorary doctorate in Hawkeye tailgating.

Joann married Bill Day on August 17, 1979, and together they created a full and fun life until his death in 2005. They split time between Okoboji, IA & Treasure Island, FL. Joann loved entertaining & hosting friends. She was the reigning queen of happy hour. She always had a cocktail to offer, a cheeseball in the refrigerator, and a cake roll in the freezer in case an impromptu party broke out. Joann had a passion for travel! She and Bill traveled the country calling it “The Day’s experience”. She loved the research and planning of a jam-packed itinerary and was a wizard with a map. After visiting her god daughter in Italy, she developed a deep love and returned multiple time to cruise the Mediterranean with friends and family. Although shopping was Joann’s sport of choice, she was an avid Iowa Hawkeye fan. However, you could count on her to throw an annual Super Bowl themed party and Final Four watch parties complete with brackets.

She was “Grandma Jo” to her 10 grandchildren Rachel (Hans) Hennings, Michael (Bryanna) Rickord, John (Lisa)Adam, Ben (Abbey) Rickord, Jeff (Heather) Adam, Brett (Kathy) Rickord Mikayla (Josh) Garvey, Kole Ulveling, Kate (Ryan) Doane & MJ Rickord.

She shared her lifelong love of Okoboji, taking the kids to Arnold’s Park, boating, sailing lessons, unforgettable 4th of July’s, annual trips to the Abby Gardner cabin, followed by a trip to the Sugar Shack or for a Nutty Bar.

In Treasure Island, Grandma Jo took her grandkids to “secret beach” for shelling, pirate boat rides, John’s Pass, and Disney World for treasured memories.

Joann was blessed to be a great grandmother to Colton, Carson, Jaxon, Harper, Raelynn, Harrison, August, Adalynne, and Kash.

After being widowed for several years she and long-time friend, Jim Prochello, reconnected and married, enjoying several years of companionship.

She loved sharing her life with her family and treasured friends who she considered family. The outpouring of love she received in her final days was overwhelming.

Joann will be laid to rest by family at Calvary Cemetery. A celebration of her 85 years will be in Okoboji, onboard The Queen, next spring for a happy hour cruise.