Yalanda "Jo" Joan Garrett

Yalanda Joan “Jo” Garrett, 82, of Eldon, IA passed away on Friday, March 12, 2021 at the University of Iowa Hospitals and Clinics. Funeral services will begin at 10:30 a.m. on Thursday, March 18, 2021 at the Cranston Family Funeral Home in Eldon with Pastor Mark Clark officiating. Burial will be in the Eldon Cemetery immediately following the service. Visitation will be held on Wednesday, March 17, 2021 at the Cranston Family Funeral Home beginning at 4:00 p.m. with the family present to greet friends from 5:00 until 7:00 p.m. Memorial contributions in Jo’s honor may be directed to the family. Friends may leave online condolences at www.cranstonfamilyfuneralhome.com. Yalanda Joan “Jo” Garrett was born on April 1, 1938 in Eldon, IA to Oramel and Ruth Wagers Sumner. Her early years were spent in Eldon where she graduated with the Eldon High School Class of 1956. Shortly after graduation Jo married the love of her life, N.C. Emmett “Tiny” Garrett. Tiny worked construction on the road and so Jo and the family traveled with him in their early years. They eventually moved into a house in rural Floris before returning to Eldon which they would call home for the remainder of her life. Jo was a loving mother and wife and always knew the value of hard work. She spent over twenty years as a bus driver for the Cardinal Community School District. While she was working as a bus driver, she began taking a night course in tax preparation. She soon opened Garrett Tax Service which she operated for over 50 years until her recent retirement. Jo always stayed busy, whether it was working on woodcrafts with Tiny for the flea markets or sewing and crocheting. She would spend hours caring for her large garden as well as canning what she grew. She cared for nature and loved her trees. She was an avid animal lover, especially her dogs and ponies. Her presence will be deeply missed by her family and her many friends. Jo was preceded in death by her parents, her husband, Tiny Garrett (2000) and a son, Nick Garrett (1974). Left to honor her memory are her children, Randy (Brenda) Garrett of Eldon, IA and Jessie Garrett of Eldon, IA; three grandchildren, Nick, Jason, and Daniel Garrett; three great grandchildren, Milo, Kaleb, and Corbin; a sister, Patricia (Wayne) Scherer; three sisters-in-law, Darlene Garrett, Peggy Shepherd, and Donna Garrett as well as her three dogs, Annie, Scottie, and Trinket and four granddogs. Jo also had many extended family and friends like Berna Cooper whom she loved like a daughter.