Jo Lynn (Richards) Lovely, of Kansas City, MO, passed away peacefully on January 31, 2026, at the age of 76, after a two-year courageous battle with Acute Myeloid Leukemia. She faced her illness with strength, grace, and determination.
Jo was born in Des Moines, Iowa on October 21, 1949, to Martha (Bullington) and Ivan Richards. Jo spent all her childhood on the family farm in Hartford, Iowa. Those early years shaped her into a hard-working, driven, and selfless woman she would always be. Her witty sense of humor—often shared through a well-timed pun was always evident.
Jo graduated from Carlise High School in 1967. She was involved in 4-H which cultivated a passion for service and leadership and was the Warren County Dairy Princess. Her high school years were marked by achievements not only in the classroom but also on the basketball court, resulting in a state run and her induction into the Carlisle Athletic Hall of Fame. She then attended Iowa State University and graduated in 1971 with a Bachelor’s degree in Home Economics Education. At Iowa State she was a member of the Alpha Delta Pi Sorority.
Jo married Steve Lovely on September 9, 1972. They maintained a loving and supportive marriage of 53 years. Jo was a devoted mother to Sara, Jake, son-in-law, Adam, and daughter-in-law, Kristen. Her pride and joy were her 6 grandchildren. She was a grandmother who was always engaged as possible. From babysitting, to attending sporting events, school performances, birthday parties, and activities. She showed up-again and again-with encouragement, love, and joy.
Jo leaves a lasting impact on those she taught and mentored throughout her 33 years of teaching Home Ec. at Griswold High School in Iowa, Mid-Buchanan High School, Lafayette High School, Truman Middle School, and Benton High School in Missouri. In her spare time towards the end of her teaching career, she also worked in customer service at Dillard’s and Gordmans. Even there, her warmth and love of people shone through.
Jo cherished her friendships, at every stage of her life, with many lasting her entire lifetime.
Jo served as a Deacon at 1st Presbyterian Church of St. Joseph, MO.
She is preceded in death by her parents, Martha and Ivan Richards, her brother, James R. Richards, and sister-in-law, Carolyn Richards.
She is survived by her husband, Stephen Lovely, daughter, Sara Lovely-Horn (Adam Horn) of Kansas City, MO, son, Jake Lovely (Kristen) of Aldie, VA. Her grandchildren Ady Horn, Lilly Horn, Hudson Horn of Kansas City, MO, Cooper Lovely, Lucas Lovely and Jade Lovely of Aldie, VA. She is also survived by her brother, Fred Richards of Pleasant Hill, IA, sister-in-law, Lynda Richards of Hartford, IA, and numerous cousins, nieces, and nephews.
Jo will be remembered as an amazing, kindhearted, and selfless woman whose life was full and beautiful, defined by grace, compassion, love of family and friends, and a spirit that touched everyone she met.
Farewell Services and Public Livestream 10:00 A.M. Friday, February 20, Meierhoffer Funeral Home & Crematory. Inurnment Memorial Park Cemetery at a later date. The family will gather with friends 6:00 to 8:00 P.M. Thursday, February 19, Meierhoffer Funeral Home & Crematory. In lieu of flowers, the family requests donations be made to Blood Cancer United or to give blood to your community blood center or to a charity of your choice.
