Apr. 27, 1921 - Aug. 23, 2015
On August 23, 2015, long-time Fallon resident Effie Joanette (94) passed away in Topeka, Kansas, with her family by her side. On July 13, 2015, she suffered a heart attack and went to spend her final days with loving care from her granddaughter Melani Creollo and family. Effie was born April 27, 1921, in Albertown, Saskatchewan to Jakob and Irena (Kardash) Serhienko who migrated to Canada from Kiev, Russia. She spent her early years in Blaine Lake, Saskatchewan along the Saskatchewan River. In 1944 Effie met the charming Frenchman Louie Joanette on a train returning from Winnipeg, Manitoba. They were married in 1945, lived in Saskatchewan and Manitoba until 1957 when they moved to Nevada with three children (the fourth child was born six months later) after awaiting visas. At that time a sponsor was required to assist the family financially if necessary. Effie worked in a variety of places in Fallon. For several years she was the baker at the Spudnut which was a popular morning meeting place for coffee and those special Spudnuts. She also worked at the El Comedor and Skip’s Market. Wherever she went, she made friends. Effie was a homemaker, wife, mother-later grandma, and baba. Her family was her life. She enjoyed meeting new people, visiting, and doing whatever she could to help others. She never met a stranger. She lived in Fallon for 58 years and was loved by many. She had a difficult time making it through the grocery store because she met so many people she knew. She was famous for her cookies and health muffins. She randomly delivered many dozens to friends and strangers alike just because she enjoyed making people smile. She always got that smile. Effie was preceded in death by her parents in 1944, 1977 and husband Louie in July 2001 after 61 years of marriage. She is survived by her four children: Roger (Lucy) Joanette and Irena (Jack) Gallio of Fallon; Betty (Nathan) Amboy of Foresthill, California; April DeGolyer of Reno. Grandchildren/Great Grandchildren: Cody (Jeanne) Joanette and children Bronc and Isabelle of California; Jody Joanette of Fallon; Sean (Cheri) Phillips and his children Makenzie, Sampson, and Tyler of North Dakota; John (Deirdre) Adams of Denver; Melani (Jason) Creollo and children Mariah and Mallorie of Topeka; Bear (Jamie) Joanette and children Blair, Makayla, Stetson, and stepson Christopher of Oregon; Jason (Dena) DeGolyer and children Clayton and Weston of Fernley; Angie (Tyson) DeGolyer Bishop and children Kolby, Kade, KatieJo, and KyleeRea of Reno; Annie Joanette of Fallon; Ivan Amboy of San Francisco; Anastasia (Brandon) Amboy Birdsell and son Lincoln of Orangevale; Katie Amboy of Foresthill; step grandson Bobby Cervantes of Fallon, and step granddaughter Dina (Nick) Hepworth of Phoenix. She is also survived by her brother Victor Serhienko of Sudbury, Ontario; brother-in-laws Leo (Florence) Joanette and Oscar Joanette of Marcelin, Saskatchewan; and more than a hundred nieces and nephews in Canada. A Celebration of Effie’s life will be held at the Oasis Church on September 12 at 11:00 a.m. A luncheon will be served. The family encourages guests to wear purple which was Effie’s favorite color. In lieu of flowers, family suggests donations to Fallon Senior Center.
