November 7, 1946-August 18, 2025
Jo Ann (Hooter) Ellis passed away on August 18th. She was 78 years of age. She is survived by her 3 children, Amy (Jeff) Pierson, Rob (Lauren) Ellis, Kristin (Ryan) O’Neill; and by her brother, Terry Hooter. She was preceded in death by her husband, Arthur Robert Ellis Sr., and her mother, Nadine (Wilson) Hooter.
Jo Ann was born in Kansas City, Kansas. She graduated from Wyandotte High School and later from Baker University, where she majored in Elementary Education with minors in English and Music. She taught in elementary schools in KCK, Piper, local parochial schools, and Easton. Each time one of her three children was born, she changed school districts so that she could take time off to stay home with them.
She especially loved summers, when she could spend more time with her children – taking them to swimming lessons, the library, tumbling classes, the zoo, Vacation Bible School, and Kristin’s softball games. Each of her children also took music lessons, learning instruments such as piano, trumpet, and drums.
In 1987, Jo Ann, her husband, and their three children moved to Basehor, where they joined the Methodist Church. She shared the organist position at the church for many years, taught Sunday School, led the Junior High Youth Group on Sunday evenings, and helped with Vacation Bible School. She especially looked forward to the church’s family canoe trips each July, camping in Missouri and Oklahoma with fellow church members for many years.
Animals were Jo Ann’s lifelong passion. From childhood, she always had pets, and later she and a friend co-founded a dog and cat rescue group called Safe Harbor for Pets. She spent many weekends at PetSmart helping with adoptions – an endeavor she found very rewarding. In addition, she volunteered at Leavenworth Animal Control and at the Humane Society of Greater Kansas City.
In retirement, Jo Ann enjoyed bowling with the Senior League in Kansas City, Kansas, where she met Duane Shaw, who became her partner and traveling companion for many years. She also loved playing cards with friends, participating in “Meet & Eat,” pet-sitting, attending the 60’s-Plus Group at church, celebrating with her Birthday Club friends, and joining in activities at the Bonner Senior Citizen Center. She especially cherished traveling to visit her three children – whom she dearly loved – as they lived in different states over the years.
Services will be held at Basehor United Methodist Church, 18660 158th St, Basehor, KS 66007 on Saturday, October 4th, at 11:00 am.
In lieu of flowers, Jo Ann’s family asks that donations be made in her name to a cause that was dear to her heart – the Humane Society of Greater Kansas City: https://form-renderer-app.donorperfect.io/give/the-humane-society-of-greater-kansas-city/general-donation
Friend ,Basehor ,Kansas
Dear Amy, Kristen,and Rob, The three of you must be reeling from the death of your mom so suddenly. You didn’t have time to anticipate what was coming. You should be comforted by the fact that you all got together frequently. Know that she was always proud of all three of you. She loved you very much. Love, Virginia
Neighbor ,Basehor ,Kansas
Jo was an excellent friendly neighbor. We will miss her dearly.
Friend of family ,St. Louis ,Missouri
Dear Amy, Rob and Kristen- My sincerest condolences on the passing of your mom. Our lives were linked when Amy came into our lives and then for so many years we shared many wonderful memories. Although you all were so young, we enjoyed your family, watching you three grow. Your mom was my fifth grade teacher at Piper. She gave us all a greater appreciation for baby seals, whales and the animal kingdom. I pray your memories will give you peace.
