JoAnn was born on December 7, 1939. Yes, at her 2nd birthday party everyone got the news of the bombings at Pearl Harbor. She was the “big” sister (she turned out to be the smallest…) to Mavis, 1942, Larry, 1946, and Westa, 1948. Her parents were Edith and Ejiler. Edith was a housewife who kept us very well fed and was a quiet, but firm presence in the house. Ejiler was from Denmark, and after about 25 years of blacksmithing in various parts of America, settled into farming in 1950 in Caruthers, California, where we were all raised.
After high school, JoAnn went to Reedley College and learned her secretarial skills- shorthand and typing, at which she was an ACE! After about two years of working for Sun Maid raisins (Ejiler sold his raisin crop to Sun Maid) she landed a job at Fresno State College in the Association Office. She stayed there for about 35 years and was sorely missed when she was spirited off to Montana in the late 90s.
When Ejiler passed away in 1983, Edith moved into Fresno and she and JoAnn shared a house for the next 15 years. Then, as our family lore has it, JoAnn married a cowboy and moved to Montana. We were all very thrilled for her. I don’t remember the details, but Glenn had known Ejiler since back in the 70s. As a Danish trained blacksmith, Ejiler had many interesting skills that were of interest to Glenn. So our family has known Glenn for many years.
After she moved to Montana, we did not see her often, but I tried to call once a month. From those calls I got the impression they were very happy together and JoAnn loved Montana. Though I did make fun of her for the several deer that she ran into. I think JoAnn was a very lucky lady to have found Glenn and I am sure that Glenn felt that he was a lucky man.
Many cousins, nieces and friends send their best wishes to Glenn and to JoAnn’s Montana friends. Though we California folks have not seen her much for the past 25 years, we all have so many fond memories that we will cherish from our younger years.
Written by JoAnn’s brother, Larry.
Service Schedule
Visitation
11:00 AM to 1:00 PM
Tuesday July 12, 2022
Community Presbyterian Church
317 Logan Avenue
Terry, Montana 59349
Funeral Service
1:00 PM
Tuesday July 12, 2022
Community Presbyterian Church
317 Logan Avenue
Terry, Montana 59349
Interment
After Funeral Service
Tuesday July 12, 2022
Prairie County Cemetery
Terry, Montana 59349
Reception
After Interment
Tuesday July 12, 2022
Community Presbyterian Church
317 Logan Avenue
Terry, Montana 59349
Service Schedule
Visitation
11:00 AM to 1:00 PM
Tuesday July 12, 2022
Community Presbyterian Church
317 Logan Avenue
Terry, Montana 59349
Funeral Service
1:00 PM
Tuesday July 12, 2022
Community Presbyterian Church
317 Logan Avenue
Terry, Montana 59349
Interment
After Funeral Service
Tuesday July 12, 2022
Prairie County Cemetery
Terry, Montana 59349
Reception
After Interment
Tuesday July 12, 2022
Community Presbyterian Church
317 Logan Avenue
Terry, Montana 59349
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Ben Eileen Strad & Kent Benjamin says
Dear Glenn & Family Joann was a lovely lady. When she would see us she would say “ hello neighbor” we will all miss her. We have you all in our thoughts & prayers. Your Friends & Neighbors, Ben Eileen Strad & Kent
William Clem says
Glenn and family: I can feel your grief as I lost my loved one last year. Glenn, stay strong, knowing that Joann is resting and in a better place. Grieving diminishes in time but memories last a lifetime. Your longtime friend, Bill Clem
Judy Prince says
I worked with JoAnn at Fresno State for about 30 years. We were friends, and had many good times for me to remember. My husband Jim and I visited her and Glen in Montana once, and they showed us a good time. We seemed to have lost contact with her, but remember her always. So sorry to hear of her passing.
Judy Prince , now living in Minnesota. My husband Jim passed away two months ago, and I’m so lost.