Johanna Hoehl

Johanna Weiland Hoehl passed away peacefully surrounded by family at her home in Jacksonville, FL on July 29, 2017. Johanna was born November 1, 1924 in Cedar Rapids, Iowa. She moved with her parents to Coral Gables, FL before the hurricane of 1926.

Johanna was the oldest of four daughters born to Dr. Arthur Weiland and Ruth Weiland, pioneer Miamians. Dr. Weiland was a founder of Miami Children’s Hospital, now known as Nicklaus Children’s Hospital, and the first orthopedic surgeon in South Florida. Johanna is survived by her sister, Patricia Hutson, and was predeceased by sisters, Mary Lou Braznell and Judith Coon.

Johanna attended Coral Gables Elementary, Miss Harris’s School and graduated from Miami High in 1942. She graduated from Duke University in 1946.

As a little girl in early Miami, Johanna learned to swim in the Biltmore pool, rode horses on trails throughout Coral Gables and learned to play golf at the Biltmore golf course. She became a lifelong golfer, winning many women’s championships and enjoyed playing at Riviera Country Club and Hound Ears Club in Blowing Rock, NC for many years.

In 1947, she married childhood sweetheart, John Robert Hoehl (Jack). Johanna and Jack’s relationship blossomed when they were voted May Queen and King at Coral Gables Elementary in the eighth grade. After their marriage, they lived in Gainesville while Jack attended law school at the University of Florida. Upon returning to Miami where Jack began his law practice, they raised four children: John Robert Hoehl, Jr. (Katy), Johanna Hoehl Edens, Mary Lou Hoehl Gibbons (David), and Helen Hoehl Bowers (Paul). She is survived by her children, sixteen grandchildren and two great granddaughters.

While raising her family, Johanna was active in many community organizations. She was a past president of The Junior League of Miami, a member of Beaux Arts, a charter member of Chapter AK, PEO, the Coral Gables Garden Club and Plymouth Congregational Church. She was also a member of DAR, Colonial Dames and President of the Visiting Nurses Association of Miami.

Besides her love of golf, Johanna enjoyed playing bridge for many years. She and Jack also enjoyed traveling to many interesting parts of the world. She would send postcards to her children and grandchildren while on these journeys with funny stories about their adventures.

Johanna was known to be a remarkable hostess and gourmet cook, with lovely parties given in the Hoehl home for many years. She took great joy in providing beautiful evenings for their longtime Miami friends.

Johanna was “Mimi” to her grandchildren and especially enjoyed cooking their favorite meals and loved their visits to Hound Ears Club in the summers. She and Jack lived in Jacksonville after leaving Miami and enjoyed 60 years of marriage together. She continued to live in Jacksonville after Jack’s death in 2007.

The Hoehl family wishes to thank Dale Ann Bass and Virginia Eddins for the loving care they provided to our mother at the end of her life.

The family will hold a private memorial service in Jacksonville later in the summer. Remembrances in Johanna’s name may be made to Plymouth Congregational Church, 3400 Devon Road, Coconut Grove, FL 33133 or Community Hospice and Palliative Care, 4266 Sunbeam Road, Jacksonville, FL 32257.