Joan Cichos

Joan Margaret Johnson Cichos (“Peach”), our beloved mother, mother-in-law, sister, grandmother, and great-grandmother, passed away peacefully in Rexburg, Idaho, on September 23, 2025, surrounded by her family. She was a member of the Catholic Church.

Peach was born on May 17, 1946, to Les and Leonna Johnson in Jamestown, North Dakota. She married her high school sweetheart, Donald Richard Cichos, on July 2, 1966. Don passed away on April 29, 1998, leaving Peach to live alone for over 27 years. Our family is grateful that Joan and Don will be together again.

Joan and Don married at a young age and left Jamestown, North Dakota, heading to Seattle with all of their belongings (and no money) in their car. They lived in Seattle, Denver, and Salt Lake before arriving in Rexburg in 1985 to purchase the local McDonald’s. Joan would always work to help support her family, and though Don was often the face of the family business, Joan was always in the background, providing invaluable skills and support. She would often share with all of the employees that “she was the one who signed the checks.”

Peach loved her family. She dedicated her life to caring for, loving, and supporting her family. She always provided her unconditional love and support–never hesitating to share her honest opinion (even to those who didn’t ask). Peach would always, always, put her family before herself.

Community was always important to Peach and her family. She was involved in youth sports, local nonprofit organizations, various charitable causes, and working with the City of Rexburg to develop the Donjo sports complex.

Peach loved sports. She would make an instant connection with anyone who talked sports, especially the University of Utah. She loved to play golf, watch college football and basketball, and generally follow all sports on television.

She was the youngest of four girls and survived by her children, Todd (wife, Carla) Cichos, of Corona, CA; Troy (wife, Stacie) Cichos, of Bellevue, WA; Trent (wife, Karie), of Rexburg, ID; Tyson (wife, Rebecca) Cichos, of Salt Lake City, UT; sisters Carol Karstens and Leslie Flyr; twelve grandchildren (Tara Casperson, Tyler Cichos, Toni Ann Latu, Shelby Cichos, Taylor Rammell, Parker Cichos, Hallie Backstein, Ashton Cichos, Samantha Cichos, Aurora Cichos, Paxton Cichos and AJ Cichos and eleven great-grandchildren. She was preceded in death by her husband, sister (Linda Hansted), and parents.

The family would also like to thank the residents and staff at the Homestead for the love and care they provided Peach since 2019.

A public viewing will be held on Sunday, September 28, 2025 from 5:00-7:00 p.m. at the Flamm Funeral Home, 61 North 1st East in Rexburg. A private family cemetery service will be held in Rexburg on Monday, September 29, 2025.

Because of Peach’s commitment to supporting the local community, in lieu of flowers we ask that you consider a donation to your favorite charity in her name or to the Ronald McDonald Family Room in Idaho Falls, Idaho.