Joann L. Schoderbek
August 20, 1956 - February 11, 2026
Joann Leslie Schoderbek (Joann, Joanna, Arynne) passed away February 11, 2026 in Roxborough Park (Littleton), CO. Joanna was born in 1956, grew up at the Air Force Academy and lived her adult life in the Denver area. Her parents were Stephen and Leslie Schoderbek, her brothers David and Brian (deceased), and their extended family of the heart, the Hergert family of Windsor, CO. She married Maris Biela in 2006.
Joanna is survived by her beloved husband Maris Biela, beloved step-daughter Laurie Biela, and beloved adopted daughter Juanita Sandoval, all of whom Joanna considered to be gifts beyond measure. Joanna had tremendous appreciation for her dearest friends including David Fawcett, Maureen Bender, Carol Slavin, Gary and Alayna McKee and their daughters Kylie, Lynzie, Fiona, Corinne Lipski, Louise Todd, Elizabeth Kain, Cindy Keylon, and others; you know who you are. Joanna was cared for in her disability by faithful caregivers Rebekah Sciaroni, Charis Denny, Emily de la Fuente, Susan Turnquist, Ashley Lieurance, Jennifer Slavev, and Melody Skinner.
Always a voracious reader, Joanna graduated with a Bachelor of Science degree from the University of Northern Colorado at age 20 and worked full-time for 30 years, primarily in the field of developmental disabilities. Two hobbies Joanna enjoyed were beekeeping with Gary McKee and running with friends. An avid volunteer, Joanna served on the Boards of Mile High Down Syndrome Assn., College View Civic Assn., and on committees of the Roxborough Park Foundation. Known by her Wiccan name Arynne (pronounced Erin), she served many decades as Priestess of the coven Elvenhome, as well as many decades on the Board of Hearthstone Community Church, Inc. She was also a member of the Women’s Spiritual Leadership Alliance (WSLA).
Her passions were Wiccan spiritual practice and facilitating spiritual growth for herself and others. Wicca is a religion that sees divinity in nature and connects rituals to the changing seasons. Observing the 8 Sabbats through the Wheel of the Year, Arynne found meaningful rhythm throughout her adult life. She was a Priestess and that was an important part of her identity.
In retirement she also indulged her passions for animal welfare and enjoyment of the company of dogs. Joanna and Maris volunteered as foster parents for 34 rescue dogs in addition to the many dogs Joanna adopted and loved throughout her life.
In addition to being a blood donor from the age of 20 and an organ donor, Joanna felt it important to donate her brain to the Mayo Clinic in Florida as they search for a cause and a cure for Corticobasal Degeneration (CBD), which began to affect Joanna in 2019 at the age of 62.
If Joanna had a hero, it was Dr. Martin Luther King, Jr. She was inspired by his courage, love, and belief in nonviolence. Her own values of nonviolence inspired her to become vegetarian at age 23 and she remained so for the rest of her life. She was also inspired by this quote from the physicist Neil deGrasse Tyson: “ I am driven by two main philosophies: Know more today about the world than I knew yesterday and lessen the suffering of others.” Joanna was always striving to achieve those same goals.
Donations are suggested to the spiritual, animal, or environmental charity of your choice or just show someone special that you love them.