JoAnne F. Clark

JoAnne F. Clark

January 7, 1943 – February 27, 2025

JoAnne Clark, 82, of Austin, Minnesota, passed away peacefully on February 27th, 2025 at St. Mark’s Lutheran Home surrounded by her family.

She was born and raised in Austin, Minnesota, the daughter of Lawrence and Edith Mildred (Ellis) Krachmer. She married Arnold “Arnie” Lowe, to this union was born three children, Christy, Troy, and Jim. They moved multiple times and finally settled in Osage, IA where they owned and operated Lowe’s Bakery for several years. They later divorced, and JoAnne moved to a farm in Texas, where she enjoyed the lifestyle and her horses. While she was there, she worked at Texas Instruments. Later, she returned back to her hometown, Austin, MN where she settled. When she moved back to Minnesota, she met a special companion, Kenny Gilbert, and were together for a number of years before his passing. They enjoyed going to auctions together, walking around the mall, and going out to eat. Some things she was most proud of throughout her life was taking a college pottery class and having her own wheel and kiln. She also enjoyed relaxing with her computer, writing her life story, dancing, adult coloring, drawing, and making doll houses for her grandchildren to play with.

Her faith was very important to her and she was a member of the Westminster Presbyterian Church. She enjoyed a prayer shawl group and made multiple prayer shawls. She also colored cards that the church donated to different groups and she helped with the church newsletter. She enjoyed watching Minnesota Vikings football games, wasn’t afraid to try her luck with scratch off lottery tickets, casinos, playing cards with her sisters and sister-in-law, and going to the Hubbell House. She loved gifting her diamond art to loved ones, and never missed an opportunity to spend time with her grandchildren. One of her favorite memories was renting a limo and picking up the grandkids to take them to a Christmas event at the Eagles.

JoAnne always greeted everyone with a smile. She was a kind soul and always willing to help anyone she met. JoAnne loved monarch butterflies, when you see a monarch ~ think of her and know she will always be with you.

She was survived by her children; Christy (Jeff) Prochaska of Orchard, IA, Troy (Linda) Lowe of Northwood, IA, Jim (Elizabeth) Lowe of Stacyville, IA. Grandchildren; Bethany (Justin) Aupperle, Brianna (Brett) Juenger, Bryton Lowe, Katelin (Cory) Woods, Courtney (Carter) Farley, Shelby (Jed) Miller, Nathan and Mathew Lowe. Siblings; Lanny (Karen) Krachmer, Janice Perrigo, Janet (Chris) Thissen, Melody (Mark) Krachmer; and six great grandchildren.

She was preceded in death by her parents Lawrence and Millie Krachmer, nephew Shawn Krachmer, her first husband Arnie Lowe, companion Kenny Gilbert, and brother-in-law Steve Fuller.

Glenn and Ruth Lowe, Donald Lowe, Mary Lowe, Sharon Cimmiyotti, Dennis Lowe, Tori Kosberg, and Cathi Trainer

Cremation has taken place. A Celebration of Life will be on March 15, 2025 at 1pm, visitation one hour prior to service at Westminster Presbyterian Church in Austin, Minnesota. Per her wishes, she would like any memorials to be directed to Mayo Clinic Hospice of Austin, Minnesota.