JoEllen graduated from Mount Vernon College; later she studied graphic design at Lane Community College in Oregon. She supervised computer installations for National Cash Register in Washington, D.C., until 1970, then moved to Los Angeles. Later, she became an artist, exhibiting oil and acrylic art throughout the West. She also produced conservation-oriented animal illustrations for children's and adult art products. Her marriage to Tony Kuhn ended in divorce. JoEllen died of lung cancer on June 15, 2003, in Eugene. She was survived by her husband, D.W. Berlin of Eugene; a son, Tony Kuhn, of Golden B.C.; her parents, Marguerite and Walter Kennevan of Eugene; and a brother, Steven Kennevan, of Iowa City.