JoAnne Mae Johnson

JoAnne Mae Johnson, 85, of Alexandria, formerly of Appleton, died on Thursday, September 10, at her home in Alexandria. Visitation will be held on Saturday, October 3, 2026, at the First Congregational United Church of Christ in Appleton, from 11:00 am to 12:00 pm, followed by the funeral service at 12:00 pm. Burial will be at the Appleton City Cemetery. Zniewski Funeral Home- Vaala Chapel of Appleton is assisting the family with the arrangements. 

JoAnne Mae (Carl) Johnson was born on September 23, 1940 to Roy and Florence (Winger) Carl. She grew up in Appleton, graduating from Appleton High School in 1959, participating in baton twirling. She worked as a lifeguard and loved spending time riding horses. She was a lifelong member of the First Congregational Church - UCC of Appleton where she participated in Ladies Aid.

After high school, she worked at Ottertail Power Company in Morris, MN. She married Albert Johnson on September 10, 1966 and moved to his family farm in rural Appleton. To this union, they were blessed with two daughters, Julie and Kristie.

She enjoyed gardening, shopping, traveling, crafts, and spending time with her family and friends - especially her grandchildren. She worked at Meyer’s on Main, the Mud Hen, and did housekeeping at Apple Ridge.

She moved to Arabella Manor in Alexandria, MN after Albert passed in 2020. She enjoyed playing dice games, Bingo, and participating in potlucks while there. She also enjoyed watching game shows and old Western movies, as well as going fishing and baking her delicious breads for both her friends and family.

JoAnne passed away on September 10, 2026, on what would have been her and Albert’s 60th wedding anniversary. She is survived by daughters Julie Johnson (Frank Gonzalez) of Alexandria, Minnesota and Kristie Bredeson of Bloomington, Minnesota, grandchildren Courtney, Ryan (Allie Maas), and Tyler, sister Mary Kanten, sister-in-law Arlene (Bob) Thompson, seven nieces and nephews, and many other relatives and dear friends. She is preceded in death by her husband Albert, parents Roy Carl and Lawrence and Florence Schirm, in-laws John and Edith Johnson, sister-in-law and brother-in-law Joyce and Dick Brown, and brother-in-law Don Kanten.

Rest in peace, Mom. We love and miss you. Hopefully there is a Wal-Mart and dollar store in Heaven.