JoAnn Catherine Symanietz, of Avon, MN, passed away on Tuesday, September 22, 2026, at Quiet Oaks Hospice House in St. Augusta.
A Mass of Christian Burial was held Monday, September 28, 2026 at Immaculate Conception Church in St. Anna. Father Gregory Mastey officiated. Burial was held in the parish cemetery.
JoAnn was born November 12, 1945, to Martin and Alvina (Klocker) Maehrеn. She was raised on her family’s farm near Avon and graduated from Holdingford High School in 1963. Following graduation, she worked at Fingerhut before marrying Eugene Symanietz on August 23, 1966, at St. Benedict’s Catholic Church in Avon.
JoAnn and Eugene farmed the Symanietz family farm with Eugene’s brother Stanley before establishing a farm of their own, where they raised their two sons, Duane and Kevin.
After retiring from farming, JoAnn worked in dining services, first at Mother of Mercy Nursing Home and then for eleven years at St. John’s University and Abbey, where she delighted in serving the monastic community.
Her Catholic faith and family were central to JoAnn’s life. A longtime member of Immaculate Conception Parish in St. Anna, she was also an active member of Christian Mothers. JoAnn enjoyed playing cards, cooking for her family, and sharing a good laugh. She loved baking and was especially renowned for her poppyseed coffee cake.
JoAnn is survived by her sons, Duane (Angie) Symanietz and Kevin Symanietz; granddaughter Taylor; sisters-in-law Josephine Petron and Delrose Symanietz; and many nieces, nephews, and cousins.
She was preceded in death by her husband, Eugene; her parents, Martin and Alvina (Klocker) Maehrеn; her brother, Leo Maehrеn; and her brothers-in-laws, Jim Petron and Stanley Symanietz.
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