Jo’Cleta “Jo” M. O’Donnell

Obituary

Jo’Cleta “Jo” Mary (Junn) O’Donnell was born on July 30, 1937, at her parents’ family 3^rd generation farm home, which was a log home in St. Lawrence Township, Jordan, Minnesota, to Joseph and Bessie (Benda) Junn. Jo was baptized and confirmed as a youth. She attended the Jordan School District from grades 1-12 and graduated June 1, 1955.

On June 26, 1960, Jo was engaged to George O’Donnell before the Aquatennial Torchlight Parade. The two were united in marriage on June 24, 1961, in Minneapolis, Minnesota. Jo and George made their home in Glencoe. Their marriage was blessed with five children; Brian, Brennan, Lisa, Bradley, and Denise. Jo and George shared over 57 years of marriage together when George passed away on January 25, 2019.

Jo was a loving wife, mother, grandmother, great-grandmother, and homemaker. She was a dedicated daycare provider for 26 years and was called “Mama Jo” by all her daycare kids. Jo had a strong faith in the Lord and was a member of Christ Lutheran Church in Glencoe. She was active in 4-H in both her youth and adult life. She prided herself in sharing her passion in 4-H with her 5 children as well as with many area youth as she served as a project leader for the Helen Juniors 4-H Club for many years.

Jo’s caring and nurturing nature led her to other endeavors as well. Jo helped organize Group 3 “Night Owls” Homemaker’s Club in 1963 and was a member until 2003. Jo was also a member of the Zapadni Ceska Bratrska Jednota which translates into Western Fraternal Life Association. She was a part of Lodge #2 based out of New Prague, Minnesota, for a number of years, and later transferred to the Hutchinson, Minnesota Lodge. Members created lodges in their areas to celebrate holidays, host plays and dances, and speak the Czech language. The lodges became a source of support and solidarity for members during difficult periods of their lives. The motto of the society was “truth, love, and loyalty” and Jo truly emanated this. She received her 50-year pin in September of 2005.

Jo enjoyed vegetable and flower gardening and especially enjoyed tending to her roses. She also enjoyed spending time in the kitchen baking, canning, and freezing fruits and vegetables. She was well known for her tea rings and pickles. She enjoyed listening to old-time music and Daniel O’Donnell CDs. She also enjoyed bird watching. Jo truly cherished spending time with her family, grandchildren, great-grandchildren, and her friends. She was a caring, compassionate, empathetic, and uplifting woman, and anyone who was fortunate enough to spend time with Jo felt that. She “left a legacy.”

Jo entered her eternal rest on June 26, 2024, surrounded by her loved ones, at Grand Meadows Senior Living at the age of 86 years, 10 months, and 27 days. Blessed be her memory.

Jo is survived by
Children, Brian O’Donnell and his wife, Shari, of Glencoe, MN,
                Brennan O’Donnell of Bloomington, MN,
                Lisa Weber and her husband, Scott, of Glencoe, MN,
                Bradley O’Donnell and his wife, Jenifer of Saint Clair, MN,
                Denise Lemke and her husband, Robert, of Glencoe, MN;
Grandchildren, Kyle O’Donnell, Kayla (Matthew) Muenchow, Katie (Mitchell) Jewett, Derek Weber, Kelsey (Tyler) Hobbie, Elizabeth O’Donnell, Amber O’Donnell, Olivia (fiancé, Andrew Wraspir) Lemke, Spencer Lemke;
Great-Grandchildren, Mila Muenchow, Graham Muenchow, Aiden Jewett, Bryson Jewett;
Sister-in-law, Lucille O’Donnell of Glencoe, MN;
Nieces, Nephews, other relatives, and friends.

Jo was preceded in death by Husband, George O’Donnell; Parents, Joseph and Bessie Junn; Father-in-law and Mother-in-law, Michael and Elizabeth O’Donnell; Brother, Edward Junn; Brothers-in-law and Sisters-in-law, Donald and Viola O’Donnell, Raymond and Ruth O’Donnell; Granddaughter, Brea O’Donnell.