JoAnn F. Stillwell

JoAnn Stillwell, age 91, of Elk River, MN, passed away peacefully in her sleep on May 8, 2025, in Hudson, WI.

Born in Bagley, MN, in 1934 to Jacob and Gertrude Kloster. JoAnn moved to the Twin Cities after high school, where she met her future husband at the Lutheran Bible Institute and married Rev. David Knutson. They had four children: Kari (Marc), Kevin (Lisa), Kent (Jill), Kristin (Jesse), and beloved foster daughter Wendy (OB). JoAnn made many friends throughout David’s ministry, living in Long Beach, CA; Staten Island, NY; Grenora, ND; Jamestown, ND; and Rogers, MN.

After the loss of David, JoAnn met and married Douglas Stillwell and moved to Elk River, Minnesota, the longtime family home. JoAnn gained three more daughters when she married Doug, Ann (David), Laura (John), and Nancy (Chris) from Doug’s first marriage. JoAnn loved being a grandma; she had 16 grandchildren and one great-grandson she loved to spoil. JoAnn was an avid doll collector who enjoyed traveling and was immensely proud of her Norwegian heritage. JoAnn loved spending time with family and staying in touch with friends she made over the years.

The family would like to extend a heartfelt thanks to her Hospice nurses, Theresa and Alicia, from Comforts of Home in Hudson, WI, for her care over the past couple of months. A funeral service will be held for both Douglas and JoAnn Stillwell at Elk River Lutheran Church on Saturday, June 28th at 1:00 PM, with a reception following the service.