Joann (Hager) Mrak

JoAnn Mrak of Battle Creek, passed away on Saturday April 18th at home with family at her side.

Born 7/21/1950, she was the youngest of ten children born to Stollie and Rena Hager in Yolyn, West Virginia, where she was raised and attended school. At the age of nine, JoAnn's family moved to Battle Creek. It was during the fall of 1959 when she began attending school at Battle Creek Public Schools until the age of 16. JoAnn decided to leave school to give full time care to her gravely ill father. This was an action that would be repeated with her mother and siblings during her lifespan.

At the beginning of 1969, JoAnn met the man she would fall in love with. After a very short six-month engagement, she married William Mrak Jr. on June 21, 1969. In December 1970, she gave birth to their son, Billy, and was a devoted stay at home mother until the time that he was able to care for himself. JoAnn then became involved working at the Pennfield School system as an afternoon supervisor. After several years of enjoyment, she moved on from the school system and began work at Jan's Daycare in Pennfield. It was during this time in her life that she decided to return to school and earn her GED and a driver's license. She would stay at Jan's for nearly twenty years and had many positive experiences with the long-term children and their families. When it was time for the owners of the daycare to retire, JoAnn accepted a position at McDonalds of Battle Creek, where she began work at the Beckley Road location as a hostess and lobby person. A true natural at the job, JoAnn would welcome guests, assist anyone in need, and grew to have personal friendships with many of the regulars. She was featured on a promotional insert from the company and cherished every interaction made during her time with customers, crew members, and management. She maintained many of those relationships and still reminisced of those interactions up until the day of her passing.

In 2015, JoAnn developed cancer that made work an impossible option to her. She had said throughout her illness that leaving her job was worse than any of the chemotherapy treatments she would have to endure. JoAnn received many cards and well wishes from the community of friends she made prior and during her illness that she cherished so very much.

JoAnn enjoyed going on day trips with Bill at her side. The pair would often go explore many miles of the Michigan roadways together, listening to music and enjoying many roadside restaurants. JoAnn would also look forward to spending a week in July with her grandchildren, daughter- in-law Jodie, and Jodie's mother, who was a dear friend. This became a tradition that occurred for seventeen years without fail. JoAnn also was very spiritual with her faith throughout her life and leading up to her passing, she never feared her transition to walk before the Lord.

JoAnn is survived by her husband Bill of 50 plus years of marriage, her son Billy (Jodie) Mrak, grandchildren Elliot and Henry Mrak, brothers Richard Hager of Logan West Virginia, Paul Hager of Battle Creek Michigan and sister Imogene Ughetti of Charlotte Michigan. She is also survived by sisters- in-law Marie Johnson of Battle Creek Michigan, Karen Hager of Elkhart Indiana and many nieces, nephews and very close friends. She was preceded in death by her parents, brothers Willis Hager, Russell Hager, Roy Hager, sisters Mary Craddock, Sylvia Hager, and Geneva Battles, and brother-in-law Jerry Johnson.

A private event will take place for immediate family due to recent events. For friends and family wanting to acknowledge her passing, JoAnn would have wanted good thoughts and memories reflected upon. Tell someone you love them and enjoy the beauty of that moment.

In lieu of flowers, donations may be made to St. Joseph Roman Catholic Church, Grace Hospice, or the charity of one's choice. Arrangements are by Farley Estes Dowdle Funeral Home & Cremation Care. Personal messages for the family may be placed here at www.farleyestesdowdle.com.