Johanna M. Stowell

Mrs. Johanna M Stowell, age 89 of Mohawk passed away with her devoted family by her side in the comfort and peace of her own home on Sunday October 12, 2025.

She was born in Cullen, New York on November 24, 1935. Daughter to the late John Kroll and Stella Kosmoski. Her father John passed away when she was about three years old. Stella then remarried about 10 years later to Samuel Dekanek.

Johanna graduated from Mohawk Central school in 1954 and then the state University of Potsdam in 1958 with a bachelor's degree in education. She went on to teach fifth grade in New Hartford, NY at the Point School, Corning, NY, Savona NY. After traveling around the state of New York for thirteen years, due to her husband’s occupation she set up roots in Mohawk New York and taught for 24 years between the Fisher Street and Jarvis School, teaching first, second and fifth graders.

In 1960 she married Richard D. Stowell Jr, at the Blessed Sacrament Church in Mohawk and shared a loving and devoted union of 65 years. Johanna is survived by her husband, two daughters, Terry L. (Stowell) Springsteen and Shelly A. (Stowell) Purtell husband Michael, one son, Donald R. Stowell wife Margaret (a.k.a Margie), stepbrother Charles Dekanek wife Lisa, stepsister Helen (Dekanek) Potter husband Lee, Ronald D. Stowell and family. Margaret( a.k.a Peggy Stowell) Monteau and family, along with Johanna’s five grandchildren: Brandon, Johnathan, Emily Purtell; Ian and Kathryn Springsteen as well as many nieces, nephews, and cousins.

Johanna was preceded in death by; her father John Kroll, mother Stella Dekanek, stepdad Samuel Dekanek, brother Joseph Kroll and Jeff Springsteen, the late husband of Terry L (Stowell) Springsteen.

Johanna volunteered for many organizations including collecting for the March of Dimes and the Heart Fund. She also worked for the Meals on Wheels and the American Reading Tutor program.

She was a communicant of the Blessed Sacrament Church in Mohawk and deeply committed to her religion and church community. She was active in many fundraising events for the church; she also loved participating in the church choir. She found happiness in her garden of flowers, trees and vegetables. She also loved the many varied species of birds that visited her feeder, especially hummingbirds, cardinals and Baltimore orioles. She loved to sit on her deck in the evening and watch for deer and other wildlife. Her fondest memories included many road trips taken with her husband especially the three-month road trip to Alaska after retiring from education.

In lieu of flowers please consider a memorial contribution to hospice and palliative care 4277 Middle Settlement Road, New Hartford, NY or the Blessed Sacrament Church Mohawk, NY or any other organization of your choice.

The family of Johanna would like to extend our deepest gratitude to hospice and palliative care, Inc. for their kindness, exceptional care, and compassion they gave to Johanna.

At the wishes of Johanna, there will be no visitation, she will be cremated, followed by a mass at the Blessed Sacrament Church in Mohawk, NY on October 23, 2025, 10:30am.  She will be buried in the Mohawk Cemetery at the convenience of her family.

Johanna and her family are under the care of the Enea Ciaccia Family Funeral Home, 4309 Acme Road lion, NY 13357.

Johannas' family would like to say:

“Rest mom, your work has been well done. May you enjoy eternal peace and know you have touched the lives of so many. We carry you and your love in our hearts always.”