Joanne Marie McCallin

On November 6", 2025, Joanne Marie McCallin peacefully passed away at the age of 88 years old in Moses Lake, WA. She was born 1937 in Chicago, IL to Louis F. Koplau and Elizabeth Koplau (Koppi). Joanne lived a long, adventurous life in many different places around the country. She grew up in Summit Argo, IL; went to school at St. Blaise Catholic School and Argo High School. Joanne married Clarence Payne in 1956. In 1958 they had one daughter, Elizabeth. They were divorced in 1961. Joanne worked as a bookkeeper and moved back and forth between Chicago and Fargo, ND for several years. During that time, she also had a son, Karl Jr. in 1967, with her second husband, Karl Walke. Eventually the entire family moved to Venice, FL in 1972. Joanne met James McCallin in 1974, ultimately, they decided to move to Moses Lake, WA in 1975 to work for U&l Sugar. Jim and Joanne were married in 1976, and moved to Ephrata, WA in 1977; where they made their home. Jim and Joanne had a lot of adventures at the Gold Bar Nature Trails and Kodiak, AK. Joanne made friends wherever she went, and enjoyed several road trips around the Western U.S. She played cards often, always had a book in her hand, and liked to make borscht for her family. Joanne loved spending time with her grandchildren and her cats, and hanging out with friends and family on her back porch in Ephrata. Joanne is preceded in death by her parents, Louis and Betty Koplau; her husband, James George McCallin; her son Kart J. McCallin, her grandson, James A. McCallin; daughter in law, Norma Perez McCallin; son in law, Kevin B. Moore; stepdaughter, Barbara McCauley; and brother, Louis “Rick” Koplau. Joanne is survived by her daughter, Elizabeth Moore of Ephrata; granddaughters, Rebecca Moore and Angela Moore of Moses Lake; grandson, Jakkob McCallin of Pasco; her niece, Robin Whitten of Kansas; stepchildren, Clay and Susan Thompson of California, and Linda Houpt of Florida; grandchildren Shaun and Rhiannon of Washington state; Tommy and Joanie of California; Lisa of Florida; nephew, Louis “Ricky” Koplau Ill; niece, Jessica Koplau; great nieces Lindsey, Hailey, Maddie; great nephew, Ben; great-granddaughter, Katherine Moore-Benefiel of Moses Lake; sister in law, Rosemarie Koplau of Florida; great-grandson Soren McCallin of Ephrata; the extended Perez family of Ephrata, Sylvia, Becky, Maricela, Clara, Marcus, Adan, and so many others. Joanne will be dearly missed by her family, and her friends at Avamere in Moses Lake. Joanne will be remembered for her adventurous lifestyle, sense of humor and intuition, and the ability to talk to anyone about anything. A celebration of life will take place during the spring of 2026 in Ephrata, WA. Please contact the Moore and/or Perez family for memorial information.

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