Jo Ann Kaskuske

Jo Ann (Tate) Kaskuske, 78, a resident of Shawnee, Oklahoma, passed away on Wednesday, January 26, 2022, in Shawnee, Oklahoma.

Jo was born on May 7, 1943 in Shawnee, Oklahoma to Irvin and Doris Tate and lived in and around Shawnee the rest of her life. Jo graduated from Tribbey High School in 1961. Following High School, she married and soon gave birth to the joy of her life, Wendell. Jo Ann worked for Dayton Tire in Oklahoma City for 35 years as an assembly line operator/supervisor on the graveyard shift. One could say that Jo was not a morning person, then, or after her retirement. In the last years of her employment, she served on her Union Safety Committee and traveled to promote more favorable working conditions and other benefits for her colleagues. Although she was somewhat of a self-proclaimed homebody, she thoroughly enjoyed these trips, especially the one to New Orleans. Jo wasn't just a good worker, she was a daughter, a sister, a mother, and an aunt, which she also excelled at. If you needed her, all you had to do was say it, and she would be ready to help. In retirement, Jo became an avid High School Basketball and Softball fan, traveling with her long-time companion, John, to watch the Paden Pirates and Lady Pirates play. She also developed an addiction to British T.V. dramas and sitcoms. Her eclectic love of music is something she also took great joy in. Jo's devotion to her family and friends will be greatly missed, but her contributions of love will be felt for many lifetimes.

Jo was preceded in death by her father, Irvin Tate; her mother, Doris Tate, her sister, Naomi Gray, her brother, Mike Tate, and her beloved son Wendell Kaskuske.

Those left to cherish her memory are her companion of 50 years John Grass, Nieces; Susan Smith, Terrie Dixson, Buffy Hunt and husband Jon, and Nephews; Craig Gray and wife Stacy, Ross Gray and wife Sue.

She also leaves a host of great and great-great nieces and nephews, extended family, and friends.

Friends and loved ones may pay their respects at the funeral home from 3-5pm on Sunday, January 30th, and Monday from 8am-6pm with the family present to greet friends from 6-8pm on Monday. A funeral ceremony to gratefully celebrate Jo Ann's life will be held at 2:00 pm on Tuesday, February 1, 2022 in the Chapel at Walker Funeral & Cremation Service. Following the ceremony, Jo will be laid to rest at Fairview Cemetery in Shawnee.