Joanne Cathlene was born at home on the family farm in Rosholt, SD on July 19, 1934. She was the third child of William and Mabel Enwiller – Marlys, Dale Sharlotte and Arlene. Joanne graduated from the Rosholt High School, where she belonged to the Glee club. At an early age, her Uncle Ed taught her how to play the piano, and her parents encouraged her by purchasing a piano for her at an auction. The piano remained at her parents’ home where Joanne would “tinkle the ivory” every time she came for a visit.
At the tender age of 18, Joanne meets the love of her life, Richard, at a local barn dance. They later eloped, and temporarily settled in a Long Beach California where Richard was stationed in the Air Force. They soon welcomed their first son, Todd, and from there their live adventure began. Further additions to the family – daughters Terry and Linda in Rapid City, SD, – another son William in Harve, MT, – daughter Eileen on the Randall family farm in Wilmar, MN, – son Rodney in Libby, MT. The most interesting adventure was their move to British Columbia, Canada where they were blessed with one more son Robert. Their travels and moves were finally over and in Trail, British Columbia Joanne and Richard put down deep roots in their home. And yes, Richard always found a piano for her to play. Their family was further increased with daughters and sons-in-law – Linda, Rob, and Heidi as well as grandchildren – Leanne, Kyle, Diane (Jason), Angela (Brandon), David, Sayah, Matthew; and great-grandchildren – Austin, Brody, Kaitlyn, Carter, Desiree, Noah.
As a daughter of a farmer, she too had a ‘green thumb’, and she always grew a huge vegetable and flower garden and would can hundreds of jars of fruits and vegetables to feed her family over the winter. She always thought of herself as the humble ant who toiled tirelessly during the summer to harvest food for the winter. Never the grasshopper who fiddled and played throughout the lazy days of summer and then starved during the winter. Her favourite summer berry picking was the huckleberry, which always involved a “bear sighting” and as the plants were on a slope, she often found herself under a huckleberry bush, which for us kids became known as “kissing the floor”.
Her flower garden was a riot of colour from the petunias, geraniums, moss roses, sweet asylums, lilies, phloxes, nasturtiums, dahlias, sunflower, hibiscus, morning glories, the varieties and range of colour was extensive. She had all the flowers of the alphabet except for the letter X. People walking down the sidewalk would often comment on how lovely her garden looked, and occasionally she would have a flower picker come into the yard, which she found amusing, especially if it was young ones.
As an avid reader, Joanne enjoyed cozy murder-mysteries of Agatha Christie, MC Beaton, Lilian Jackson Braun as well as British TV productions of Midsommer Murders, Agatha Raisin, Shakespeare & Hathaway. The only reason she subscribed to the Trail Daily Times was for the crossword puzzle, which she completed in record time. She was saddened when the paper was reduced from 5 days a week to only 2. She kept busy with crossword puzzle books, puzzles and later adult colouring books. Her arthritic hands prevented her from holding an embroidery needle, but we have many tea towels and pillowcases that she has embroidered for us over the years.
Her Lutheran faith was an important aspect of her life, and she spent many hours volunteering ay church – LWML, Ladies Aides and alter guild. She especially enjoyed the companionship of her fellow LWMLers and the many conventions that she attended in Canada and the US.
Joanne was a strong, determined woman and throughout her life she has had to battle lifelong illnesses – COPD, diabetes, rheumatoid arthritis, colon cancer, skin cancer – she always found the strength to persevere through medical procedures and medications. She was a true survivor and always kept her sense of humour which she shared with other patients as well as the medical team. She survived the death of her husband Richard and all the health issues through the support and love of her youngest son Robert.
Joanne, our mother, will be missed for the comfort and love that she gave to us, her quick wit, her garden, her always making cookies, cakes, and whenever she made bread allowing us to make ‘doughgots’ fried pieces of bread dough dipped in sugar and cinnamon. She was a good mother to us all.
On September 28, 2022, Joanne Cathlene died peacefully in her own bed, under her mama’s quilt, surrounded by love…and importantly she knew how much she was loved and how much she would be missed by her family.
Andreas Schmitz of Alternatives Funeral and Cremation Services™ has been entrusted with arrangements.
You are invited to leave a personal message of condolence.
Our most sincere sympathies to the family and friends of Joanne Cathlene Randall September 28th 2022..
Death notice for the town of: Trail, Province: Colombie britanique