Joanne Lou Pahl entered eternal life on September 20th. Joanne was born on August 18, 1938 to Raymond and Marie McDonald. She was the 11th of 12 children. She attended Assumption Catholic grade school in Richfield where she met lifelong friends. She graduated from Bloomington High School in 1956, was cheer-leading captain, and proudly supported her fellow students in their activities. She had known her eventual husband, Wayne since childhood and were married on January 10, 1959. They had five children, Gary, Brian, Lynn, Amy (deceased at 6 weeks), and Wendy.
Wayne was a farmer so Joanne instantly became life and business partner until Wayne’s death in 2013. Joanne remarkably balanced raising her children in a busy household and embraced her role on the farm. She dug potatoes, sewed the gunny sacks together, cut and delivered asparagus, ran her own crews of workers picking squash, cucumbers, and green peppers. She was famous for her line “all I want to see is asses and elbows” meaning bend over and get to work. Afternoons were spent at home doing book work and housework. All bills and payroll checks were handwritten with the taxes deducted written in the memo line. When mom was away from the washing machine, she was in front of the stove or oven. She LOVED her sweets to the very end! She enjoyed running her kids to their activities and hockey was her favorite. In 1979 her and Wayne bought a patio home in Fountain Hills, AZ and their love for the Southwest flourished. Joanne was a great entertainer as well hosting many large family gatherings, corn parties, poker club, and bridge. She enjoyed annual trips to Las Vegas with Wayne and weekly trips to Mystic Lake to play bingo and keno. She enjoyed her weekly golf outings, and dinner with friends. She was often seen with a scarf tied beautifully around her neck, or wearing a fun hat or jacket with bling on it. Joanne lived her life with some Irish feistiness, a spring in her step, and a broad smile on her face. She was a straight talker who valued hard work and a dollar. She not only taught these traits to her children and grandchildren but also to the countless number of kids who worked under her in the fields. Her strength, determination, and love for life will be remembered by all who knew her.
Preceded in death by husband Wayne of 54 years; parents, Raymond and Marie, ten brothers and sisters, and daughter, Amy. Survived by sister, Eleanor Branson; sons, Gary (Jane), Brian (Beth Rau and family); daughters, Lynn Joyce, Wendy Schaffer (Bill); grandchildren, Jamie Briones (Nate), Jack (Nicole), Ben and Charlie, Shaunna Grosulak (Michael), Claire Joyce (Jake Janssen), Steph Schaffer (Patrick Koss) and great grandchildren, Charlotte, Sophia, Walker, Aubrey, and one on the way.
Mass of Christian Burial Wednesday 11:00 a.m. at Mary, Mother of the Church, 3333 Cliff Road E, Burnsville, MN, on Wednesday, Sept 25, 2024. Visitation will be from 5-8 pm on Tuesday, Sept 24, 2024 at Gill Brothers Funeral Home, 9947 Lyndale Ave, Bloomington and one hour prior to mass. Private burial at Assumption Cemetery, Richfield. Memorials preferred to Wounded Warrior Project or Mary Mother of the Church.
What a beautiful, wonderful, inspirational woman! Never knew her, but as a new Pahl’s customer, I will remember her when I look upon the two beautiful Brandywine Maple Trees in my yard. So sad life has to end, but life wouldn’t be as sweet if it didn’t. Love and prayers to all who knew and loved her. May God keep her warm in His eternal embrace.
I have known Joanne since we were both 8 yrs old. What a remarkable person and great family ! She lived life to the fullest and I can just picture her telling the director of the heavenly choir they need more Irish music.
I am sorry for your loss. It’s hard to lose an iconic figure of the family, and a true matriarch at that. Prayers to the family as you navigate the space left by Joanne. May your hearts and minds be filled with fond memories!