Jo Anne Gonda

RENO - It is with sadness we announce the passing of Jo Anne Barnes Connelly Gonda on April 2, 2024 in Reno, Nevada, at Summit Estates. She just celebrated her 94th birthday last month.

Jo Anne was born in Calexico, California on March 9, 1930, to Mark Hampton Connelly and Thelma Gladys Neagle. She was preceded in death by her first husband LtJG David Wade Barnes USN, her brother Robert Connelly, and her husband of over 52 years John Andrew Gonda.

Jo Anne was a stay-at-home mother most of her life. When her kids were grown she worked for the Nevada Bureau of Weights and Measures, retiring after 10 years. Her faith in Jesus Christ was a driving force in her life. She served locally in the church youth program for many years. She went on three 18-month proselyting missions with John teaching about Jesus Christ in Austria, Spain, and Fiji. Jo Anne also loved serving in the Reno temple of the Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-Day Saints.

Surviving family members include all five children, Jeffery John Gonda, Daniel Barnes Gonda, Mark Barnes Gonda, Kathie Marie Gonda Smith, and Stephen Andrew Gonda. She has 26 grandchildren, 85 great-grandchildren, and 2 great great grandchildren.

Memorial service will be held at the Golconda Road chapel of The Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-Day Saints on Saturday, April 20, 2024 at 1:00 pm. Dedication of her grave will follow at the Mountain View Cemetery; 435 Stoker Drive, Reno, NV.

The family wishes to express our gratitude to the staff at Summit Estates and the Hospice team for keeping Mom comfortable this past year. Special thanks to Kathie, Mark and Susy for being her local support team.