Joanette Starr Takehara, age 80, died of complications after a long battle with Progressive Supranuclear Palsy (PSP).  Joanette was born in Veblen, South Dakota.  She was married to Kiyoshi Takehara until his death in 2008.  Joanette passed away at home and leaves two sons, David (Debra) and Kent (Jody LaFontaine); a daughter, Karian (Karl) Schnite; three grandchildren, Nicholas, Stephanie and Jon; a brother, Robert J Starr; godchildren, Shannon White and Charlene Budack; multiple cousins, nieces and nephews.  She was preceded in death by siblings, John Starr, Elroy Starr, Vincent Starr, Louis Starr Jr., Matilda Siert, Birdell Armell, Ruth Budack and Audrey Starr; and godchild, Robert Starr, Jr.

At a time when most women were at home, Joanette became a small business owner in Chicago, Illinois.  She went on to receive her Bachelor of Science from the University of Antioch and her Masters of Public Health from the University of California at Berkeley. Joanette worked for the Federal Government for twenty years at Indian Health Services and the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention, bringing much needed health programs and reforms to multiple Tribes across the West and Southwest.  Joanette was a member of the Sisseton-Wahpeton Oyate.

Memorial Service will be held Thursday, July 9, 2020, 2 p.m. at Haben Funeral Home & Crematory, 8057 Niles Center Rd., Skokie, IL.

In  lieu of flowers, donations may be made to the American Indian College Fund or CurePSP.org.