Joann Anderson

JoAnn Irene Anderson, age 90, of Madelia, was called to her eternal home on February 7, 2025, at Madelia Health.

Funeral service will be held at Albion Lutheran Church in rural Saint James, on Friday, February 14, 2025, at 11:00 am with visitation one hour prior to the service. The clergy will be Rev. Robert Springer. Interment will be at Albion Lutheran Cemetery. Arrangements are with Sturm Funeral Home in Madelia. Online condolences may be left for the family at www.sturmfh.com.

JoAnn Irene (Blekestad) Anderson was born October 8, 1934, to Evan and Bessie (Ball) Blekestad in Saint Paul, Minnesota. She grew up in the Godahl area and attended country school and Saint James High School. On May 28, 1956, she married Leslie Anderson. After they married, they lived in the country near Saint James and La Salle. JoAnn went to work for Tony Downs in 1963. She worked there for 32 years, retiring in 1995.

JoAnn loved being apart of her church circle and the Albion Women of the Word meetings. She enjoyed going on bus tours, playing cards, polka music, camping, bird watching, and having a few beers with friends. She was an avid Minnesota Twins fan and Vikings fan.

JoAnn had pride in every card she sent out by adding stickers. She was known as the sticker lady. JoAnn also enjoyed making her oyster stew every Christmas and, of course, her Sloppy Joe’s.

After moving to Madelia in 2014, JoAnn found joy in doing word puzzles, reading, and visiting on the phone. When she was in the hospital, she was known by the nurses as the “Spicy Lady”.

JoAnn loved her 5 daughters, grandchildren, great-grandchildren, and great-great grandchildren. She will be deeply missed by all who knew her.

JoAnn is survived by her daughters, Dee (Wayne) Hartwig, Doris Dougherty, Deb (Mike) Schoen, Peggy (Arden) Keech; 13 grandchildren, Patricia (Kyle) Gustafson, Kris (Tim) Illies, Peter (Amanda) Hartwig, Leslie (Tara) Tierney, Sheila (Keith) Kilmer, Lance (Annie) Dougherty, Robin (Randy) Olson, Nicole (Jeff Olson) Gleason, Angelia (Clint Farley) Vosberg, Paul (Kristen) Schoen, Melissa (Chris) Schultz, Mike (Danette Breitbarth) Keech, Chad (Amanda) Keech; 26 great-grandchildren, 6 great-great-grandchildren and 2 on the way; 1 brother; 1 sister, 2 sisters-in-law, and 1 brother-in-law.

JoAnn was preceded in death by her husband of 68 years, Leslie; parents, Evan and Bessie Blekestad; daughter, Betty Jo Gronewald; great-grandson, Blake H. Hartwig; 1 brother; 2 sisters; 4 brothers-in-law; nieces, nephews and other relatives and friends.