Joanne Lois Mastre

Our dear mother, Joanne Lois Dirks/Mastre was born September 27, 1939, in Copeland, Kansas to Ernest and Alda Unruh/Dirks. Joanne passed away on January 19, 2026, while at Sunset Home, reaching the age of 89.

When mom was just an infant her family moved from Kansas to Bonners Ferry, Idaho to escape the dust bowl. Growing up in Bonners Ferry, Mom received her education in the little country schools.

As a young girl Mom gave her heart to Jesus and was baptized into Church in God in Christ Mennonite. Her relationship with Jesus was very important to her. In dad and mom’s later years their health made it physically hard for them to attend church, but they were faithful listeners to Sunday services. Mom loved to listen to singing.

On January 4, 1954, mom married the love of her life, Bob Lee Mastre. They shared a joyful married life of 71 years. Their home was blessed with five children. Scott, Kim, Harley, Tracie and Shawna. Mom was a beautiful homemaker, an excellent cook, and she loved being outdoors working in her yard and spending time with dad and later the family on the lake, making it a summertime, Saturday outing. Mom loved her children and her grandchildren were very special to her. She loved it when they would pop in and visit her. If it was around lunchtime or in the evening, she always got out lots of food, and no one went away hungry. She loved Christmas and Christmas Eve was a highlight for her, making it a special time especially for the grandchildren. We all will cherish those special times. Mom had a special talent for making fudge and divinity. She loved gifting it to her siblings, friends and neighbors. She would also gift neighbors with decorated cinnamon roll rings. Mom also had a great sense of humor. It was easy to make her grin and laugh. She loved playing with her grandchildren, being goofy with them and would like to scare them at times too.

Dad and mom moved to Bruneau, Idaho in 1977, being some of the first one to move there, they farmed there for seven years. In 1983 after some hard years of farming, they moved back to Bonners Ferry. Upon moving back and with moms love of children started up Small World Day Care Center. On some days she would have 100 children in and out the doors. During this time, she touched many lives in the community, touching many more with dad through owning and operating Panhandle Laundry and Ice.

On Monday, mom’s last day here surrounded by her loved ones, she was asked, “Mom, do you want to go see dad?” Her eyes lit up, she got a big grin on her face and said, “Yeah!” As she continued to fade and slip away, we told her it was ok to go and be with Jesus, and we would all be ok. Not long later mom peacefully went to be with her Jesus, and she was reunited with dad.

She is survived by her children, Scott Mastre of Bonners Ferry, Idaho, Kim and Lynette Mastre of Polson, Montana, Harley and Mogie Mastre, Tracie and Dallas Amoth, Shawna and Mike Hittle, all of Bonners Ferry, Idaho. Sixteen grandchildren, and their spouses, twenty-eight great grandchildren. Sisters Dessie Regher, Buhl, Idaho, Darlene and Willie Peachey, Bonners Ferry, Idaho, brothers, Dennis and Donna Dirks, Bonners Ferry, Idaho, Bob and Michelle Dirks, Grandview, Idaho. Sisters-in-law, Judy Dirks, and Marlyn Mastre all of Bonners Ferry, Idaho, Delores Mastre, Montrose, Colorado. Two brothers-in-law, Bill and Barbara Mastre, Grandview, Idaho, Leonard and Ruth Unruh, Grafton, North Dakota, along with many nieces, nephews, and friends.

She is preceded in death by her husband, Bob Mastre, her parents, her part-in-laws, four brothers, three sisters, ten brothers-in-law, and eight sisters-in-law.