Joanne Carlson

Joanne Louise Carlson was born on April 15, 1943 to Harvey and Dale (Huttner) Zimmer, joining older siblings Phil and Jean. She grew up in South Minneapolis, where she attended St. Helena Catholic School and later the Academy of Holy Angels. Her nicknames were “Jo”, “Happy-Go-Lucky” and “Rhapsody in Blue” (please, will someone tell us how she obtained that one and what it means!)

She always said she loved the nuns as teachers. She especially enjoyed singing in the Glee Club and would have liked to join a sport but the girls weren't allowed to participate in sports or even PE at that time. Outside of school she enjoyed swimming with friends at Lake Nokomis. After high school, mom wanted to go on to study nursing at the University of Minnesota, but she didn't have the means or support, so she worked at the ticket counter at MSP airport.

Mom met her one and only husband – our dad – Leland (Lee) Carlson on October 24, 1964 at Schlief’s Little City, “The Northwest’s Finest Ballroom”, in Inver Grove Heights while they were both on a date with someone else! It must have been the intoxicating atmosphere of the venue and the world famous Deutschmeisters performing their hit single “Hu-La-La-Polka” that set the perfect mood for new love. At a party the next time they met, Dad looked at Mom and said "I think I know your birthday!" He guessed it correctly, and they were married 10 months later, on September 4th, 1965.

They initially lived and started their family in Bloomington, MN, subsequently moving to Plymouth, MN in 1973, where they would raise their three children and live for the rest of their lives. They were married for 59 years!

Joanne and Lee’s first child, Paul, was born in August 1966, followed by Michelle in September 1968 and Todd in June 1970. Joanne enjoyed cooking and baking with all of the kids, and inspired them to enjoy cooking as adults. Both Mom and Dad supported us kids in our music and sporting events, which made it all the more fun. Music was always an integral part of Joanne’s life, from singing in glee club in high school through many years singing with Lee in the church choir at St. Mary of the Lake and the Plymouth Rockers. She had a lovely singing voice, but she was shy in singing alone. Mom and Dad passed on this love of music to all of their children, who have continued to be active in music in adulthood.

Mom stayed at home to raise us until we were all in school full time. She then began work for the Wayzata School District at Beacon Heights Elementary, first in the kitchen, then moving into a classroom assistant (Para) role in a 5th grade classroom, and subsequently at a preschool for developmentally challenged children – her favorite of all her roles. Dad tells us she would get burned out by Christmas, but after Christmas break she couldn't wait to get back to those kids. She would have been a great nurse! She finished her working life in a clerical position at the Minneapolis Auto Auction.

Lee and Joanne spent countless hours with their core group of friends Mike & Linda Kranz, Steve & Mary Hearne, Jim and Elise Harasyn, Tom and Pat Petersen, and Bruce and Jan Hedenland, playing bridge, and cross-country skiing and hiking up north. Mom had an inquisitive mind, and loved reading.

Mom started having signs of dementia around 10 years ago, and had to move into a Memory Care facility 3-1/2 years ago. These last couple of years have been especially hard. Dad was diagnosed with stage four bladder cancer in March of 2022. We were glad Mom was already in a memory care community. We never did tell her about Dad's cancer recurrence, not knowing if she would understand or not. In the last year Mom began to really decline, eating less and less and losing so much weight.

Joanne passed away early in the morning on January 23rd, 2025. Lee, Paul, Michelle and Todd were not at her side at that moment, but were all present in the days before, sitting with her, talking to her, going through photos and sharing memories. She was unresponsive the last 5 days, but they say that hearing is the last sense to go, so we hope she heard us and knew that we were there with her.

We are so thankful to the staff at Summerwood of Plymouth, especially in The Arbor memory care unit, for taking such good care of mom. Thank you to Julie, Li, Vera, Marlene and all the others! We also want to thank Melissa, her hospice nurse. All of you caregivers have the patience and kindness of angels and we will be forever grateful.

Mass of Christian burial will be Tuesday, April 1, 2025 at 11AM at The Church of St. Mary of the Lake, 105 Forestview Ln N, Plymouth, MN 55441, with visitation one hour prior.