Obituary for Joanne Claire Neuhart

Joanne Claire Neuhart was born to Clara K. Jensen (Sward) and Gordon M. Jensen on March 31, 1936 in Geneva, MN.

She was the only daughter out of 5 children. Her older brothers are Edwin, Marshall & Wyman all from Ellendale and her younger brother, Dennis is from Albert Lea. She attended school in Ellendale & graduated in 1953. She married Dale R. Worke from New Richland in 1953 and they had 2 children, Connie & Randy. She worked at Wilson Meat Packing for 20 yrs. Before retiring in 1971. She & Dale also bought the family farm in Blooming Prairie, MN. She loved singing and acting as a child & could play the guitar & harmonica.

Many a Sunday afternoon was spent with Dale on the accordion, Gordon on the Jews harp & Joanne singing and strumming at the Jensen home in Geneva. She & Dale were on a bowling league & went dancing almost every Sat. night at Kermie’s or the Eagles, usually with Donnie & Dollie Worke. She & Dale went their separate ways in 1965 but remained close friends. She met & married Jim Neuhart in 1976. They lived a short time in Albert Lea and then moved to California for a while before setting in Awatuki, Ariz. Missing her children & grandchildren she & Jim moved back to the Midwest in 1995 and Joanne managed Becker Manor & Washington Heights in Germantown, WI for 9 years before retiring to La Crosse, WI in 2003. Joanne gave her heart to the Lord in 1970 and became a Seventh-Day Adventist Christian.

She was very active in her churches in Albert Lea, CA, AR, Milw & La Crosse. She sang in the choir and held many offices. Joanne loved the Lord above all and that’s what made her so special. She is survived by her daughter Connie (Earl) Sykes and her son Randy D. Worke (Elizabeth). Grandchildren Ryan, Chad, Justin & Matthew Kneesel, Randy L. Amanda & Brandon Worke, Jon & Charissa Sykes, and Sharon Perera. Great-Grandchildren Riley, Grayson, Violet, Eli, Jase, Alexis & Michael Kneesel, Jalen, Demetrius, Rayna, and Ember Sykes and Maddie Jo Sobek. She has 2 great-greats, Jayden & Decland Worke, Two brothers, Edwin and Dennis, 2 husbands.

She was preceded in death by Dale Worke and Jim Neuhart. Two brothers, Marshall and Wyman Jensen, her parents and her grandson Chad Kneisel. She adored her nieces & nephews and their children and always attended the Jensen Family Reunion. She was loved by many friends and family and will be truly missed.

Last 5 years she resided at War-leh Manor on French Island in La Crosse where she considered all the resident’s families.

Sleep well our beloved Joanne Until we meet again when Jesus comes!