Joanne Von Ohlen

Obituary

Joanne Margaret Von Ohlen was born on January 11, 1936, in Alpha, Minnesota, to Robert and Edna (Vagle) Plath, and was baptized as an infant. She grew up as an only child and was later joined by a younger sister when she was 10 years old and brother when she was 12 years old. They were all raised on a farm in Alpha. She received her education at a rural country school through the eighth grade before transitioning to Jackson High School. Joanne was a good student and enjoyed playing music in marching band and piano at home. In 1950, at the age of 14, she was confirmed as a Lutheran at Trinity Lutheran in Alpha. The story goes, that on Confirmation Sunday, she pointed to one of her fellow confirmands and told a relative, “I’m going to marry him someday.” That confirmand was Gilmore Von Ohlen. Their first date wasn’t until they were seniors in high school. They graduated together in 1954.

After high school, Joanne attended business school and worked at Wilson Meats in Albert Lea, Minnesota, for several years. She and Gil eventually married on October 1, 1961. When they returned from their honeymoon in the Ozarks, they received Gil’s army draft notice. After Gil completed bootcamp, he was stationed in Tacoma, Washington, for additional training. Joanne moved to Washington with him. While there, they met their lifelong friends Dick and Phil Beer, and enjoyed many New Year’s Eves and Fourth of Julys as their families grew.

While out in Washington, Gil and Joanne welcomed their firstborn, Allan Gilmore, on July 11, 1962. They returned to Minnesota one month later after Gil completed his training and resided in a Saint Paul apartment. They lived there for two years before purchasing their first house on Snelling Avenue in Saint Paul. On March 18, 1964, they welcomed their second son, Gary Michael. Joanne supported her boys’ involvement with Cub Scouts by becoming a den leader and encouraged them in their many 4-H projects over the years. She supported her kids’ athletic involvement by taking them to practices as well as attending all their games with Gil. They lived in Saint Paul until 1972, when they moved to Inver Grove Heights. They continued to reside there for 44 years. In 2016, they moved to Hutchinson, Minnesota, and made many new friends.

Tragically, their son Gary was killed by a drunk driver on July 25, 1980. This was obviously devastating to Joanne and the family. She said the hole and sadness from Gary’s loss was not filled until her grandchildren started arriving. Joanne truly enjoyed hearing about and spending time with her grandchildren, and was blessed to see them all graduate college, move out, and begin their lives as adults. She was also blessed with three great-grandchildren.

Throughout her life, Joanne was involved with numerous Bible study groups and served as the church librarian at Emmanuel Lutheran for several years. Joanne had always been strong in her Christian faith, seemingly unafraid to share it with others and encourage fellow believers in their walk with Christ. For the past few years, she had expressed being ready for the Lord to take her Home. And He did on Palm Sunday – a great day indeed for Joanne to meet her Lord, Savior, and King.

Joanne’s hobbies included sewing, knitting, flower and vegetable gardening, tending to the birds, bowling, reading books, word puzzles, math games, as well as showing her boys how to raise animals on their hobby farm in Inver Grove Heights. They had horses, cows, rabbits, and chickens. She also enjoyed camping in the early days and cabin vacationing in the later years. Joanne would also ride motorcycles and snowmobiles with Gil and other friends. Perhaps one of her favorite things to do was meet new people and learn about their lives. She loved having people stop by and visiting with them for long whiles.

Joanne peacefully passed away on Sunday, March 24, 2024, at her home in Hutchinson, at the age of 88 years.

Blessed be her memory.

Joanne is survived by her husband, Gilmore; her son, Allan; her grandchildren, Jennifer (David) Niemela, Connie Von Ohlen, and Henry Von Ohlen; great-grandchildren, Norah, Amos, and Simon Niemela; sister-in-law Mary Plath; and nieces Erin Plath, Katie Plath, Andrea (Sam) Sahlin, and Wendy Corley.

Joanne was preceded by her parents, Robert and Edna Plath, son, Gary, sister, Mary Corley, brother, David Plath, and daughter-in-law, Diane Von Ohlen.