Joann “Joni” Anderson

JoAnn Kristine “Joni” Anderson, of Stillwater MN, daughter of Marvin and Patricia (Hoel) Solsvig passed away with family by her side, March 18, 2021. Born in Saint Paul MN on November 14, 1950, she lived in Hudson WI until age 20.  She is survived by her husband, Brad Anderson; daughters, Abbie (Michael Rihm) Endres of San Francisco and Amy Endres (John Guerin) of Chicago, and stepson Kevin (Han Mi Lee) Anderson of Waukesha; four grandchildren, Matrim, Jacob and Morgan Anderson, and Isaac Rihm; and, five brothers and sisters, Jeff (Gayle) Solsvig, Melvin (Sue) Solsvig, Kris (Chris) Brown, Lori (David) Seim, and Mary (Steve) Wettleson. Joni is preceded in death by her parents.

Joni worked at Madison Area Technical College-Watertown for twenty-five years, rising to Office Manager. She then worked for nine years as Executive Administration Assistant to the CEO of Cisco Learning Institute, an organization supporting the Cisco Networking Academy and other educational research and development. She spent her career helping people advance their educations and futures and was much beloved for her tireless efforts. Joni cared deeply for her family and friends, offering unconditional love, encouragement and her support in any way possible.  She was benevolent to all living creatures who needed help, exemplified by her annual donations to over twenty-five charities for the protection and care of stray and endangered animals.  Joni demonstrated her abiding love for cats, especially strays and rescues, in the selfless care of her adored brood of fur-babies.

Over the years, Joni’s hobbies included gardening, baking, swimming and antiquing becoming an avid pottery and linen collector.  She once performed in a belly dancing group and achieved the rank of purple belt in American Karate. Joni enjoyed traveling around the US, as well as to England, Scotland, Italy, Iceland, Denmark, Norway, and North Africa, and especially to Sweden to reunite with family. She loved exploring historic homes and cultural sites throughout America and abroad, appreciating both their history and beauty. In recent years, Joni and Brad enjoyed weekly lunch dates at Olive Garden, with weekend drives in their red convertible, exploring the beautiful St. Croix River Valley where Joni was born and raised. Joni’s favorite time of year was Christmas, when she lavishly decorated the house, celebrated home and family, and hosted 30 to 50 people for dinner on Christmas Day. She held it as a sacred duty to remember meaningful dates, family connections and to preserve memories and history  of the family lineage.

Joni cherished her roles as wife, mother, grammy, sister, auntie, cousin, and friend. Her children will remember her as both a devoted mother and a true friend; she not only raised and nurtured them through childhood, but cultivated special loving relationships with each of them as adults. With kindness, warmth, a welcoming presence, and beautiful blue eyes, she made everyone feel like family, for family was her greatest joy.

She will be dearly missed, and will be forever celebrated in the purr of cats, the blooms of lilacs and yellow roses, and the comfort in a warm bowl of rice pudding.

To have known Joni is to have been deeply blessed, and for that we are so grateful. Our grief can only be matched by the joy of having been loved by her in this life.

It was Joni’s wish that in lieu of flowers, please make a donation to one of several charities close to her heart.

Alzheimer’s Foundation of America

https://alzfdn.org/?gclid=EAIaIQobChMIhcudhunL7wIVidzICh02qww1EAAYAiAAEgLMQvD_BwE

National Pancreatic Cancer Foundation

Home

Allina Hospice Foundation

https://donate.allina.com/foundation-web-sites/hosp/support-allina-health-hospice-foundation

A Memorial Celebration of Joni’s Life will be held on the date of Joni and Brad’s 30th Wedding Anniversary, Tuesday, August 3rd, 2021, at O’Connell Family Funeral Home, 520 11th St. S. Hudson, WI 54016. Visitation will be from 10:00-11:00 a.m. and service starting at 11:00 a.m. The service will be livestreamed – click HERE for the service.