JoAnn Wright

The Funeral Service will be live-streamed at: https://youtube.com/live/EmbtfFi0Wlo?feature=share

JoAnn Wright, age 89, of Willmar, passed away Monday afternoon, February 17, at Compassionate Cottage.

Visitation will begin at 10 a.m. followed by her celebration of life service at 11 a.m. on Saturday, March 15, at the Cross Roads Community Church in Spicer. Interment will be at Fairview Cemetery. Arrangements are entrusted to Peterson Brothers Funeral Home. www.petersonbrothers.com

JoAnn Wright was born on February 18, 1935, in Appleton, Wisconsin, the daughter of Harry and True (Schoenig) Petersen. She grew up in Clinton, IA, graduating as valedictorian of her high school class. She attended Iowa State, graduating with a degree in journalism.

On October 4, 1959, JoAnn was united in marriage to Dale Wright at the Clinton United Methodist Church. The couple moved to Knoxville, IL, where Dale taught in the public schools and their daughter, Debra, was born. The couple moved to Hallock, Minnesota in 1963, where their son, Russell, was born.

In 1964 the family moved to Willmar, MN. Dale accepted a counseling position at Willmar State Junior College and JoAnn worked for several years for the Willmar Public Schools. She was then employed as an editor for the West Central Tribune, covering the family and community sections of the paper until retiring in 1990. JoAnn was an active member of Business Professional Women (BPW) and League of Women Voters. The couple attended the Willmar United Methodist Church.

After retirement, they built a home north of New London. They were active members of Cross Roads Community United Methodist Church in Spicer. They enjoyed traveling, spending time at their Lake of the Woods cabin and timeshare in New Orleans. JoAnn’s favorite hobbies included reading, gardening, picking wild blueberries, boating on the lake and caring for her pet cats.

She is survived by her daughter, Deb Bronner of Willmar, and son, Russ Wright (Patty Klabo) of New London, grandchildren Janessa and Alex Wright. As well as Wright and Schoenig extended family members.

JoAnn was preceded in death by her parents and by her husband, Dale, in 2017.