Jo Ann Strey, 91

JoAnn Haddorff Strey, age 91 (unless you asked her when she would report being 35) passed away on July 14, 2024, in Edina, Minnesota.

JoAnn was born to Oscar “Coach” and Lora Wilcox Haddorff, on December 20, 1932, in Plankinton, South Dakota. JoAnn was the second child with brothers Oscar, Jack, and Bob and their wives Marion, Jeanine, and Ginger. She grew up in Redfield, SD, and Mound, MN where she played clarinet in the high school band, served as student council president, and was elected homecoming queen.

After graduating from Mound High School, she attended Hamline University where she met her future husband, Howard John Strey. They were married on December 22, 1952 and were together for 65 years before Howie passed away in 2018. Together they raised four boys, Howard Junior (Howie), Charles (Charlie), Thomas (Tom), and James (Jamie) and was mother-in-law to their spouses Janet, Mary, Ann, and Kelly. She was “Grandma Jo” to Betsy/Dan, Jessi/Danny, Lora/Davin, Tim/Tida, Jackie/Darren, Christina/Morgan, Erin/Josh, Allison/Peter, Matt/Brianna, Patrick/Mary, Paul/Iris, Duncan/Maddie, Colin/Charli, Maddie, and Aiden. She was, also, GG (great grandma) Jo to Amelia, Hannah, Oliver, Alice, Kalaya, Clara, Kayden, Miles, Imogen, Margot, Quinn, Finley, Mac, Caya, Esri with 4 more on the way. She was a loving sister-in-law, aunt, great aunt, and neighbor to many who she felt very close to. She included her lifelong friend of 78 years, Lenny Erickson, as part of her family.

JoAnn loved spending time with her family and followed all their activities and adventures. She enjoyed attending sporting events of family members…basketball, football, soccer, gymnastics, rugby, softball, swimming/diving, hockey, dance, tennis…keeping score at a couple generations of baseball games, or going to theatre performances or band/orchestra concerts. Wherever and whatever her family members were involved with, she wanted to be there and was present to cheer them on.

She, also, had many other interests including domestic and international travel, National Parks, playing cards (bridge was preferred but you could talk her into almost any card game), playing the piano, reading poetry, knitting, collecting Charles Peterson prints, watching and/or attending major tennis tournaments (including Wimbledon, Australian Open, French Open, US Open and Indian Wells in person), being active at Westminster Presbyterian Church and in PEO including president 3 times. She cheered for Duke basketball (specifically coach K).

A memorial service will be held at 11:00 AM on Friday, August 23rd at Westminster Presbyterian Church in Austin, Minnesota with the Reverend Michael Olmsted officiating. Visitation will be at the church one hour prior to the service. Interment will be at Fort Snelling National Cemetery at 12:45 PM on Monday, August 26th. If attending the interment service, be at Assembly Area #6 by 12:30 PM.

Memorials may be sent to Clasen-Jordan Mortuary, 209 2nd Avenue NW, Austin, MN 55912. Clasen-Jordan Mortuary is in charge of arrangements. clasenjordan.com