On the morning of Friday, June 16, 2023, Joni J. Baumbach of Des Moines sent her only son a photo of a hummingbird who stopped by for a drink from one of the many feeders, birdbaths, or other sanctuaries she installed throughout her bustling yard over the years. She would take many photos that day as she attended to her dogs and cats, but the last one Joni shared was of an elephant ear sprout whose bulb she planted shortly after Mother’s Day.

Joni was born in Des Moines, Iowa on January 20, 1956, to Raymond J. and Rose-Marie (Pettit) Sublet. Joni graduated in 1974 from Urbandale High School and would go on to work over forty years with GuideOne Insurance before retiring in 2020.

A lifelong animal lover, at a young age Joni would frequently sneak away from home to befriend the neighborhood’s newest creature. Out of great concern for their well-being, she once “accidentally” stole a horse from a nearby pasture, only to ride it throughout Urbandale before being caught.

Joni’s sense of independence was reflected in her impeccable style. Wearing hoop earrings and fringe jackets, if it had feathers or sequins, Joni wore it ­­­­­­­­­­­­­­­­­­­­­­­­­­­­­­- usually while blaring Neil Young from the rolled down windows of her Cutlass Supreme.

In 1990, she gave birth to her son Benjamin, who in her own words, she loved more than “everything else in the whole entire universe.” Though Ben was her first and only human child, he would grow up with numerous cats and dogs, who he and his mom considered his siblings. As she would often retell, Ben’s first word was “Keeko” the name of her favorite cat at the time.

A testament to her selfless and endlessly loving nature, Joni was an organ donor. With the help of the Iowa Organ Donor Network, Joni was able to give one final gift - the gift of life to those in need. To commemorate her gift, an honor walk was held at Iowa Methodist Medical Center. Amidst that silence, Joni’s family peacefully said goodbye.

Those left to cherish Joni’s memory include her son Benjamin Baumbach of Des Moines; her sister, Carolyn (Mark) Milligan of Wheaton IL; her niece, Amy Milligan; her nephew, Dan (Lauren) Milligan; and her great-niece, Iris Swanberg. Her beloved cats and dogs will continue to be cared for by her son and his partner, Mary Pat.

Joni’s family would like to invite her friends to join them in celebrating her life at a memorial service to be held from 4 p.m. to 7 p.m. Friday, July 7th, 2023, at Simplify Cremations & Funerals 4821 SW 9th St, Des Moines, IA 50315.

Although Joni adored flowers, we invite loved ones to make donations to AHeinz57 Pet Rescue & Transport in her honor.