Joellen "Jody" Graham

Joellen “Jody” Pechacek Graham, an incredibly caring wife, mother, grandmother and friend, passed away at age 81 on November 3, 2023 after battling Alzheimer’s disease.

Jody was born and raised in Sioux City, IA, the only child of Ellen Kennedy Pechacek and Joseph Pechacek. After graduating from Heelan Catholic High School, she attended San Diego College for Women and University of Iowa, ultimately graduating with a Bachelor’s degree in Elementary Education from Briar Cliff College. Years later she earned a Master’s degree in Elementary School Counseling from Drake University. 

On August 14, 1965, Jody married Thomas “Tom” Warner Graham. They celebrated their 58th wedding anniversary this year. Tom and Jody have four children - Christopher, Andrew, Jennifer and Sarah.

Jody dedicated her career to teaching for over forty years, focusing primarily on remedial reading and developing in her students a love for reading, at elementary schools in San Francisco, CA, Omaha, NE, and Ralston, NE, and at Smith, Irving, Whittier, Riverview and Riverside elementary schools in Sioux City.  She also served as a member of the Sioux City Community School District literacy team and testing team. Even in retirement, Jody couldn’t give up her love of teaching and returned to the classroom at Morningside College to teach Children’s Literature for three years and was a Sioux City Community School District retired teacher tutor.

Jody’s legacy of teaching and instilling a love for reading was not only in the classroom - her greatest joy in life was reading to her grandchildren and passing along this love of hers. She could recommend a children’s book to help with any of life’s hurdles, from the first day of school jitters, to ways to make friends, to how to apologize. You could always count on a moral or values lesson in any book she suggested.

If Jody wasn’t with one of her grandchildren, you could find her volunteering or spreading love and joy in other ways. She was a regular visitor at Holy Spirit Retirement Home delivering flowers, plants and cards to many residents. Jody’s other volunteer and community organization roles included: Sioux City Art Center Board, Sioux City Junior League, Siouxland Cares Board, Growing Community Connections, SHIP Board, Chapter LX PEO, Early Literacy Committee, Comprehensive Strategy Committee, Pierce Mansion Committee and Association Board of the Sioux City Museum and Historical Association.  Jody was also a member of the Church Vestry and Altar Guild and a Sunday school teacher at St. Thomas Episcopal Church.

Jody’s thoughtfulness and kindness were unparalleled. If you were fortunate enough to be her child, grandchild or friend, you could always count on a card in the mail from her for every life celebration or challenge. She would enlist the Carmelite nuns to pray for her close circle. For any specific problem (a new job, home sale, lost item) she knew the patron saint to pray to for help. Jody was the person that many turned to for help and guidance and her void will be felt immensely by many.

Jody is survived by her husband Tom; her children Chris Graham of Sioux City, Drew Graham and wife, Keri, of Sioux City, Jennifer Graham and husband, Seth, of Greenwich, CT, and Sarah Courson (Graham) and husband, Derick, of Palm Beach Gardens, FL; her grandchildren Flory, Oliver, Willa, Liam, Daisy, Ella, Lily, Ava, Noah and Graham; and her great grandchild Emma. Jody is preceded in death by her parents and her grandchild Jack. Special thanks to Dr. Michael Jung and everyone at Bickford of Sioux City and Hospice of the Midwest for the love, care, compassion and support shown to Jody and her family while Jody was in their care.

In lieu of flowers, please send donations to Sioux City Carmelite Nuns, Hospice of the Midwest or Holy Spirit Retirement Home.

We know Jody’s community was vast and she shared such wonderful times with many friends, family members, coworkers, students and community members. Please share your favorite Jody memory at sarahgcourson@gmail.com. We will include as many memories as we can in the program to honor her life that touched so many.

Visitation with Family Present: November 11, 2023, 9:30 a.m.

Celebration of Life: November 11, 2023, 10:30 a.m.

Meyer Brothers Funeral Home

322 Stone Park Blvd

Sioux City, IA 51104

Luncheon to follow: November 11, 2023, 12:00 p.m.

Sioux City Country Club

4001 Jackson St

Sioux City, IA 51104