Rio – JoAnn A. (Kvale) Johnson, age 88, passed away at Aster Retirement Facility in Cottage Grove on June 21, 2018. She was born on August 31, 1929 in Columbus, WI to the late Theodore and Viola (Fahrenkopf) Kvale. JoAnn grew up on the family dairy farm near Columbus.
She attended the Nelson one room grade school for eight years. Fortunate that the school bus started running the year before, she got to ride the bus to go to Columbus High School. Following her graduation from high school, she attended and graduated from the Cosmetology school in Madison.
JoAnn married Donald T. Johnson on September 17, 1949 at Spring Prairie Lutheran Church in DeForest. She was a member of Spring Prairie Lutheran Church for many years – teaching Sunday school, serving as a member and officer of Ladies Aid, singing in the choir and serving on the Church Council. In her later years, she became a member of Faith Lutheran Church in Columbus.
There, she was a member of the prayer chain and active in the Scroll Circle. She was a charter member of the Farmette’s Homemakers as well as a member of the Columbus Book Club for many years. JoAnn very much enjoyed working at the Wyocena Nursing Home where she was a nursing assistant for eight years and made many friends.
She also worked with Dr. Neal Katz as a receptionist for over 17 years. She loved to read all kinds of books and loved sharing those books with others. She was a self-taught pianist and enjoyed playing and accompanying her husband when he sang.
JoAnn loved flowers and always had a fresh bouquet of them displayed in her home. She is survived by her children, Debra (Ron) Reierson of Rio, Patricia (Jack) Tatzel of Lodi, Steven (Sheree) Johnson of DeForest and Betty (David) Hagen of Cottage Grove; 10 grandchildren, Beth (Dave) Laufenberg, Joanna (Jonathan) Koehler, Scott (Megan) Tatzel, Eric (Ashley) Tatzel, Amy (Jay) Oxnem, Ryan (Raichel) Johnson, Adam (Evelyn) Johnson, Cory Johnson, Tyler (Ondie) Hagen and Anna (Jeffery) McCord; 11 great-grandchildren; and many nieces, nephews and other relatives. She is also survived by her sister, Marilyn Smith, of Whitewater, and brother, Richard Kvale, of Rio.
She is preceded in death by her parents; husband, Donald T. Johnson; grandson, James Reierson; brother, Donald Kvale; sister-in-law, Ruby (Dick) Kvale; brother-in-law, Bill (Marilyn) Smith; and stepmother, Mabel (Helgerson) Kvale. A Celebration of Life will be held at 11 a.m. on Monday, June 25, 2018 at Ryan Funeral Home, 6924 Lake Road, DeForest, with Pastor Lisa Nelson officiating. A visitation will be held from 10 a.m. until the time of service.
A special thanks to Agrace HospiceCare of Madison for the tender care and support they gave JoAnn. Thanks to the Pastors of Faith Lutheran Church for their frequent visits and spiritual guidance. Memorials may be made to Faith Lutheran Church at 120 Faith Drive, Columbus WI 53925 or Agrace Hospice at 5395 E. Cheryl Parkway, Madison WI 53711.
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