JOAN ARNESON

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JOAN ARNESON Peacefully and surrounded by love, Joan Arneson died at Riverview Health Centre in Winnipeg on December 11, 2015. Joan was predeceased by her husband Russell in 1998 and is survived by her three children, Rhonda (Geoff) Mikolayenko, Angela (Kevin) Gyoerick, and Derek (Joelle) Arneson. Mourning the loss of their fun loving grandma are Makenna, Luka, Kaeden, Elliot, Baron and Dax. Joan also leaves behind her partner Ralph Reich. Joan was born to Charlie and Grace Bass on August 20, 1952, she had seven siblings all of whom she loved dearly. She will be missed by her sisters Judy, Donna, Margaret, and Mona and her brothers Jim, Eddie and Doug as well as their families. At the age of 18, Joan married Russell Arneson, they moved to Pulp River where they farmed for nearly 30 years. Joan and Russell raised their three children while living on the farm all the while instilling a great sense of honesty and pride in a strong work ethic. Joan developed many long lasting friendships during the years on the farm. She never hesitated to stop what she was doing if a friend dropped by for coffee. Joan worked tirelessly on the farm growing a large garden each summer, working the hay fields and caring for the livestock and homestead. She also worked outside of the home (because there must have been a couple more hours in the day) at Northern Motors, with Home Care and lastly with Winnipegosis and District Residential Services. Russell and Joan moved to Winnipegosis in 1998, Joan felt blessed to reconnect with many friends from childhood. In addition to working full time, Joan had quite the perogy business...making hundreds of dozens of perogies each month. Joan's illness forced her to leave a job she took great pride in, the love and respect she had for the residents never wavered. Joan was a woman of intense honor and integrity, she said what she meant and followed through on what she said. Joan had a great sense of humor that would often catch people off guard. She loved telling jokes and perhaps even more so, loved hearing them. Cancer changed Joan's life, that cannot be denied. Joan appreciated the care shown to her over the past four years by many health care professional with whom she interacted. The many doctors and nurses at CCMB (Winnipeg and Dauphin), the Nuclear Medicine Team at SBH, The Gamma Knife Team at HSC, everyone on RR6 at the Rehab Hospital (to Kim the nurse who was caring for Joan in the last moments of her awareness it warmed our hearts to know how much she trusted and liked you she smiled ear to ear when you came on shift that evening). To the staff at Riverview Health Centre's PCU, thank you all from the depths of the hearts of Joan's children. The work you do is very special. Mom's journey was long with many challenges and much pain and for those reasons we must be content knowing she is at peace. Joan's funeral was held on December 17, 2015 at 2:00 at the Winnipegosis Mennonite Church. Sneath-Strilchuk Funeral Services in care of arrangements. In lieu of flowers, donations can be sent to the Scotia Bank in Winnipegosis, Manitoba, Box 80, R0L 2G0 in memory of Joan Arneson. This fund will be established to purchase a memorial bench in Joan's honour to be placed in a town dear to her heart for the public to relax upon and enjoy. Also in Joan's memory we ask that you celebrate life and remember growing old is a privilege denied to many. Sneath-Strilchuk Funeral Services Dauphin 1-204-638-4110 www.sneathstrilchuk.com

As published in Winnipeg Free Press on Dec 19, 2015