Joan Irene (Cosgrove) Johnson, 83, of Austin, Minnesota, passed away peacefully on Oct. 10, 2016, after a courageous battle with an ongoing illness.

Joan was born in Hudson, WI and grew up in Bayport, Minnesota. In 1965 she moved to Austin, Minnesota, where she raised her family and worked as a CNA at St. Mark’s Lutheran Home for 32 years.

Joan touched many lives with her gentle spirit, loving nature, and wry wit.She was an avid animal lover, and stray animals always seemed to know where they could find a home! Joan was a big supporter of the local Humane Society as well as other various charities.

Joan loved to read, garden, revel in the joy of nature, play the piano, and was a very talented artist. Above all, she was devoted to her family. She was a loving soul and will be missed terribly.

Joan is survived by her children, Bradd Perkins (Sue Essig) of Coon Rapids, Minnesota, Bambi Perkins (Hilda Ramos) of San Francisco, California, Jeremy Johnson of St. Cloud, Minnesota, and Brooke Fitts (Richard) of West Frankfort, Illinois. She is also survived by 12 grandchildren: Adam, Ben, Stephanie, Erin, Cody, Katelyn, AJ, Sasha, Colton, Blake, Christopher, Ashley and 11 great-grandchildren.

She was preceded in death by her mother and father, Anna and Cornelius Cosgrove; a daughter, Tracy; aunt and uncle, Hilda and Melvin Solheim; sister , Bonnie Purnick; and brothers, Cornelius (Keno) and John (Jack) Cosgrove.

Joan requested no funeral however, her children will be hosting a celebration of her life in the summer of 2017 in which relatives and friends will receive notice. In lieu of flowers, her children ask that memorial donations be made to the Mower County Humane Society at 101 22nd St, SE Austin, MN 55912, 507-437-9262.

A special thank you to the staff at Mayo Medical Austin, St Marks, and Mayer Funeral Home for your support and compassion.

Last but not least; a heartfelt thank you and love to Betty, Michelle, Travis, Justin and Jeanne for your unwavering support and devotion to Joan.

 

You can only have one mother

Patient kind and true;

No other friend in all the world,

Will be the same to you.

When other friends forsake you,

To mother you will return,

For all her loving kindness,

She asks nothing in return.

As we look upon her picture,

Sweet memories we recall,

Of a face so full of sunshine,

And a smile for one and all.

Sweet Jesus, take this message,

To our dear mother up above;

Tell her how we miss her,

And give her all our love.