Johanna Marie Metzgar

Johanna Metzgar, age 57, of Stockton, Missouri, passed away Tuesday, June 20, 2017, at Citizens Memorial Hospital, in Bolivar Missouri. Johanna is survived by: her three daughters, Cookie Rael, her husband Zach, and children, Lichelle, Diego, and Santiago, of Albuquerque, New Mexico, Angel O’Keefe, her fiancée Patrick Houtz, and children, Ashton, Greyson, Olivia, Carson, and Liam, of Bolivar, and Teresa Rael, her husband Isaac, and children, Kayden, Ty, Malachi, and Adaline, of Stockton, Missouri. Our mother’s love was the first thing we ever experienced. We exist because she harbored us within her and brought us into this world. Now, we must go on existing by harboring her memory within us. Jo Metzgar was a woman no one could forget. Everyone loved her as soon as they met her, and they simply never let her leave their thoughts. Throughout our childhood, our mom would tell us how we should be respectful, be kind, and be compassionate. She would teach us about the smallest of things, and she would guide us through our biggest trials. Through our toddler phases of snuggles and giggles, our adolescent phases of distance and rebellion, even the teen years, she would never skip a day of telling us how much we meant to her. In our adult years, she became our best friend. She had numerous talents and positive attributes. She adored her fur babies, especially her dogs. She was a great writer and wonderfully expressive. She had a knack for art that blew others away. She was capable of being silent and calm or lighting up the whole room with her sense of humor and one of a kind laugh. She was loving, versatile, ambitious, sassy, funny, and wonderful. She will be forever missed, but equally celebrated. We have no choice but to feel grateful that we got the honor of holding her hand growing up and then sharing her with the world as time went on. After her passing, it only became more apparent the amount of impact she had on this world. People came from all over and reached out to share fond memories of her, as well as deep grief to see her go. No matter where our lives lead us, she will be there, now. God chose our guardian angel for us on June 20, 2017. There is no one better for the job. Our mom - your boss, friend, coworker, acquaintance, client, wife, sister, aunt, or grandma - will remain the light on the horizon after each day. She will be the beautiful birds flying by and the stars at night. She is gone from us, but she will not be forgotten. “I have thought and thought.... mom was an amazing artist and shared her talent with me. She gave me the passion for art. She also showed me how to love living creatures great, small, ugly, and beautiful. I wouldn't have such a love for animals without her.” -Cookie “Mama Bear, I will never stop wanting your hugs, but instead I will share them with my kids, now. I will never stop wanting to call you at the end of the day, but I will call my other family members more, now. You said your mission in this world was to bring us all closer to God, and you did that. You also taught us the meaning of love. I value my family more, and I strive to make the same impact on this world that you did. I love you endlessly, mommy. I always will.” –Angela “Momma, you were the centerpiece that my world revolved around. You spent your life making sure I knew how much you loved me, no matter where I was at or what I was doing. You talked me through every obstacle and stood by me through every decision I made, right or wrong. I need you like I need air. I love you more than any words can describe. I will look for you in the sunsets and feel you in the breeze. I will keep your memory alive in your grandchildren and spend the rest of my days loving them the way that you loved me.” -Teresa

Johanna Marie Metzgar

May 25, 1960 - June 20, 2017