JoAnn Carlson

JoAnn Marie Carlson, 91, died on Tuesday January 21, 2025, at Gundersen Hospital in LaCrosse, WI. She was born on January 17, 1934, at the Caledonia Hospital to Anton and Mary (Kragness) Skree. She was raised in Badger Valley in rural Houston and attended its country school, where she formed many friendships that would last a lifetime. JoAnn was confirmed at the Houston Lutheran Stone Church in 1948 and graduated from Houston High School in 1951. JoAnn was Houston High’s second Homecoming Queen, and since there was no King yet, her escort was John A. Carlson (her future husband) whom she knew from the neighboring farm. 

After high school JoAnn moved with friends to Minneapolis to attend Business College, after which she worked there. It wasn’t too long until the young couple was married, on November 13, 1954, at the Houston Lutheran Stone Church by Rev. M.A. Braaten, after which they lived on the Carlson farm in Badger. Aside from aiding in the farmwork, JoAnn worked 42 years at the Rushford State Bank, finishing up her career as a computer capable cashier. 

After almost 50 years together JoAnn lost her best friend and spouse, John, to cancer on Nov. 6, 2003. She continued living on the farm until June 2011, when she sold it to her niece, Deb, and husband, Tom Stilin, and moved to Houston. As a member of Cross of Christ Lutheran Church, she was a long-time member of the Stone Church Aid, ALCW, WELCA, and Circle. She enjoyed belonging to the Badger Homemakers Study Group, Craft Club at church, and “OLE” (Old Ladies Exercise) Club.

JoAnn will be remembered for many things including her warm sense of humor, love of home and family, calm demeanor and quiet laugh. Her genial personality led to her popularity, and she was a loyal friend and conscientious worker who made sure that our family gatherings would continue even after her siblings were gone. JoAnn’s hobbies and interests included sewing, needlework, crafts, gardening, cats and birds. She and John also liked to travel.

JoAnn is survived by one sister-in-law, Darlene Carlson, fifteen nieces and nephews: Steve (Sue) Skree, Gerald (Jeanne) Skree, Mary Ann Dascher, Sherrie Conroy, Kathy and Sue Skree; Jeffrey, James, and Douglas Skree, Debra (Thomas) Stilin, and Gary (Marion) Skree; Dean (Angie) and Gordon Happel; Darcey (Jim) Northam and Janelle (Jim) Larson. Twenty-three grand niblings: Eric Skree, Kirsten Gurtner, Elizabeth Skree, Michael Skree, Bryan Dascher, Heather Mrozek, Dottie Berg; Nick, Shane, Cody, Dawson and Savannah Skree, and Audrey and Sophia Stilin; Cassandra, Matthew, Caleb, Brady and Joshua Happel; Paige Wera Montes and Aimee Wera; Bradley and Calvin Larson. Also a few more generations of niblings, and life-long good friend, Amy Schild.

She was preceded in death by her parents; her beloved husband John; three brothers: Gifford, Darrel, and Robert Skree; one sister: Genevieve Skree; four brothers-in-law: Kenneth and Leonard Carlson, Fergus Happel, and Gerald Dragvold; three sisters-in-law: Margie and Shirley Skree, and Lylah Dragvold; and a nephew, Dennis Happel.

As the last survivor of her siblings, and over 60 first cousins, her death truly marks the end of an era in our family, and she will be greatly missed.

 Funeral Service will be 11 a.m., Saturday, February 1, 2025, at Cross of Christ Lutheran Church in Houston with the Reverend Dana Jackson officiating. Visitation will be one hour prior to the service at church. Burial will be in Stone Church Cemetery.