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JOANNA SUE DIFFERDING

February 20, 2013

Joanna Sue Differding, 85, of Sunnyside passed away on Wednesday, Feb. 13, 2013, surrounded by her loving family.

Joanna was born Feb. 7, 1928 in Springfield, Mo. to Riley and Angeline "Ada" (Daniels) Cantrell. She was actually born Feb. 4, but her mother did not get her birth certificate made out until Feb. 7, so she often celebrated her birthday twice a year.

Joanna received her early education in Springfield, and continued her education in the Yakima area schools until she met the love of her life.

On Dec. 21, 1946 she married Leo John Differding in Yakima, but their marriage wasn't recognized by the Catholic Church until 1947, when they took their vows in Fairmont, N.D.

Joanna was a dedicated and loving homemaker and also worked as an operator at Prosser Pack and Twin City Foods before retiring in 1990.

Joanna enjoyed riding horses and owned her first horse as a young girl in Springfield, a paint black and white Pinto named "Betsy."

She also enjoyed sewing, canning and cracking walnuts, making many quilts for grandchildren and great- grandchildren, sewing dolls and doll clothes and many of her own clothes and children's clothes as well. She also knitted her husband's socks and afghans.

Joanna is survived by her loving husband, Leo John Differding; her children, David (Carole) Differding of Yakima, Vicky Charvet of Grandview, Gary Differding and Peter (Rose) Differding, both of Sunnyside, Linda (Larry) McIntosh of Bridgeport; 13 grandchildren; 25 great- grandchildren with one on the way; and one great-great- grandchild with one more on the way; her siblings, Don "Bub" Cantrell of Renton and Mary (Jim) Caton of Yakima.

She was preceded in death by her parents, Riley and Ada Cantrell; one brother, George Cantrell; one sister, Tweetie Cantrell; one grandson, Matthew Differding; one son-in-law, Benjie Charvet; and her "Granny" Lizzy Daniels.

Graveside services will be held Saturday, Feb. 23, 2013, at 1 p.m. at Lower Valley Memorial Gardens, with a memorial services to follow at 2 p.m. at Smith Funeral Home Chapel in Sunnyside, followed by a time of fellowship from 3:30 to 6:30 p.m. at Sunnyside Eagles. All are welcome.

In lieu of flowers, the family requests that memorials be sent to Lower Valley Hospice.

Those wishing to sign Joanna's on-line memorial book may do so at www.funeralhomesmith.com

Smith Funeral Homes Ltd. and Crematory in Sunnyside is in charges of arrangements.