Joanne Lucile Nichols Kovall Obit

JOANNE LUCILE NICHOLS KOVALL  was born on Sept. 16, 1936, in Crosby, the daughter of Bill and Lucile (Olmschenk) Nichols. She grew up in Crosby and graduated from Crosby-Ironton High School in 1954. On Jan. 5, 1957, Joanne was united in marriage to Frederick Anthony Kovall, and they made their home in Crosby. In 1958, they moved to Owatonna and in 1971, they moved to Willmar. Joanne was an amazing mother. She was a gifted seamstress. She made clothes for her kids and taught her daughters to sew. Joanne started working at Willmar Community College, which became Ridgewater, helping at the end and beginning of the quarters. This job eventually led to full-time employment as the manager of the bookstore. Joanne was a great baker, she made poticia, caramel rolls, chocolate cinnamon rolls and the favorite, Grama rolls. Joanne was a member of the Church of St. Mary. She served as a Eucharistic Minister and member of the Daughters of  Isabella. She went to the YMCA for more than twenty years doing water aerobics, even though she was afraid of the water! After retirement, Joanne learned to quilt and made hundreds of quilts for family and loved ones. She is preceded in death by her husband and parents. She is survived by her five children, Fred (and Jessie) Kovall, Rita (and Jeff) Pattison, Kevin (and Katy) Kovall, Theresa (and Dave) Schlenker and Nichole (and Todd) Rens; twelve grandchildren, Kim (and Kelly) Manseau, Amy Kovall, Billy (and Sarah) Pattison, Michael (and Linze) Pattison, Annie (and Fernando) Pattison-Mier, Tony (and Laura) Kovall, Vera Kovall, Tori Kovall, Will Kovall, Mac Schlenker, Ethan Rens and Linnea Rens; and six great-grandchildren, Marshall, Molly, Noah, Olivia, Lucy and Matthew. Also surviving is one sister, Cherie (and Dan) McMahon and one brother-in-law, Daniel (and Sue) Kovall, besides many other relatives and friends. Services have been held. In lieu of flowers, the  family requested donations to the Fred A. Kovall Memorial Scholar- ship at Ridgewater College. Arrangements are entrusted to Peterson Brothers Funeral Home.  www.petersonbrothers. com