Joanne Johnson's Obituary
Joanne "Jo" Johnson
Joanne was born to “Dinger“ and Sina (Ness) Olson on Jan. 25, 1930 in Grand Rapids, MN. She lived in Grand Rapids and Deer River, MN where she graduated from high school. In 1952 Joanne graduated from St. Olaf College in Northfield, MN with a B.S. in Economics. While at St. Olaf she met and wed her husband, Albert Johnson. They remained in Northfield where three daughters were born, moved to West St. Paul for three years, and then settled in Eau Claire in July, 1964. Their fourth daughter was born in 1968. Shortly after arriving in Eau Claire, Joanne joined her beloved bridge club where she was a member for over 50 years. While busy raising her daughters she was also active at Trinity Lutheran Church and in volunteering with Meals on Wheels and Sacred Heart Hospital. Joanne returned to work with a job in sales at J.C. Penny. Joanne enjoyed playing cards and games with family and friends, reading, watching Jeopardy every day, and fishing when at the cabin at Deer Lake, MN. In 2015 Joanne moved to Lakewood, WA to be close to the families of two of her daughters. She passed away on April 10, 2018. She is survived by her daughters Barbara Kurtz (Tom) Steilacoom, WA, Mary Jo Miller (Dave) Hickory, NC, Kimberly Johnson (Bob) Burien, WA, and Kristen Hewitt (Jason) Winona, MN, as well as five grandchildren, Matthew Kurtz(Kathie), Rachel Kurtz, Andrea Miller, Ali Miller, Kaveri Johnson, great-grandson Gunnar Kurtz, and favorite nephew Dan Coen (Becky). Special thanks to Jo’s best friend Patti Cigan for her caring and kindness through the years. A small service at Ft Snelling National Cemetery is planned for July. Memorials may be sent to Meals on Wheels.
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