Josephine Ann Millenacker (nee Bellin), 94, passed away peacefully on Aug. 19, 2017, at a senior care facility in Apple Valley, Minnesota.

Jo Millenacker was born on Dec. 7, 1922, on a farm near Waltham, Minnesota. She grew up experiencing the Great Depression of the 1930s and was a witness to the aftermath following the Japanese attack on Pearl Harbor on her 19th birthday. She attended High School in Hayfield, Minnesota. Jo was a member of “The Greatest Generation.” She worked at the Hormel plant in Austin, Minnesota, during the war years. She married Vincent (Dick) Joseph Millenacker, a U.S. Army Air Corps veteran following World War II on July 14, 1946, at Queen of Angels Church in Austin. They were married for 45 years. Their marriage was blessed with two sons, Ricky in 1948, and Daniel in 1957. Jo and Dick lived in Austin their entire married life.

Jo spent the late-1960s into the 1990s working part-time as a retail clothing clerk at J.C. Penney and Leuthold Clothiers in Austin. Jo enjoyed baking and was known by all for the delicious cookies and cakes that she enjoyed making for family and friends. She loved being outside doing yard work or just enjoying the outdoors from her patio during the summer months from her beautiful home overlooking East Side Lake.

Jo was preceded in death by her husband Dick (1920 – 1991), mother Emma M. (Paape) Bellin (1889 – 1973), father Ted J. Bellin (1891 – 1963), and brother Walter A. Bellin (1918 – 1959).

Survivors include sons and daughters-in-law, Rick (Linda), and Daniel (Karen), Bloomington, Minnesota; four grandchildren and spouses Scott (Jeanne) of Prior Lake, Minnesota, Todd (Laura) of Savage, Minnesota, Jason (Kaitlyn), Minneapolis, and Alicia of Sarasota, Florida; three great-grandchildren (Lexi, Levi and Sierra); and many nephews and nieces. Jo had many friends and was loved by all. She will be greatly missed.

Funeral services will be held at 11 a.m. on Saturday, Aug. 26, at Clasen-Jordan Mortuary with Pastor Don Eslinger officiating. Interment will be at Calvary Cemetery. Visitation will be one hour before the service on Saturday.