JoAnn Rosaaen

JoAnn Rosaaen, of Fortine, passed away Tuesday, May 12, at her home after a strong and courageous fight with cancer.

JoAnn was born to David and Frances Steppler April 2, 1945. She joined two sisters, Clara and Gloria, and the trio later welcomed their fourth sister, Kathleen. It looked as though the Steppler family would be complete with only girls but the family grew one by one to seven children with the addition of three brothers: Donnie, Robert and James.

JoAnn married the love of her life, Donald Rosaaen, in 1962. They were blessed with the birth of their son, Scott, in 1963 and she graduated from Lambert High School in 1965. The following year they packed up and headed west, settling in Fortine. JoAnn thought the family was complete and her mind wasn’t easily changed, however, after six years of convincing from Donnie, their daughter LeAnn was born.

Donnie was diagnosed with terminal cancer in 1971; in those days treatment was done in Spokane so Donnie and JoAnn traveled many miles over the years to fight the battle side by side. During this time, the couple established a business, Graves Creek Service. JoAnn did the administration and accounting for the business as well as kept customers in line; she was never afraid to set the record straight and always told it how it was.

In Fortine, the family lived in a trailer while building their first house, which was the first of three built over the years. Later they purchased land to build a log home; in 1981 the family moved into the basement while completing the main level and loft. Construction was interrupted as their business burned to the ground, which they rebuilt and sold. In the following years, JoAnn cleaned at Plum Creek lumber and later began working in the mill.

In 1995, construction of their dream home began. JoAnn was thrilled with the building site because the ground was perfect for her many flower beds and the surrounding trees were perfect for her humming bird feeders. JoAnn loved flowers and hummingbirds.

In 1990, JoAnn and Donnie began going South for the winters and enjoyed it for all but three years. JoAnn never met a stranger and enjoyed visiting with friends new and old. Together, through the years, they enjoyed many travels and made many friends. For JoAnn and Donnie, every day together included joy and laughter and a drive wasn’t just a drive but an adventure. They celebrated their 50th wedding anniversary in 2012.

JoAnn became a grandmother at the young age of 39 and a great grandmother at 65. She loved to play cards and games. Everyone who played with her, especially her grandchildren, have many memories of games played with JoAnn that were always rowdy. She always played to win no matter who the competitor was - young or old.

She is survived by her one and only true love, Donald Rosaaen, at their family home in Fortine; two children, Scott (Yvonne) Rosaaen in Whitefish, and LeAnn (Eddie) Risenhoover in Peoria, Ariz.; five grandchildren, Tony (Edna) Rosaaen, Josh (Sabrina) Prechel, Tyler Risenhoover, Nathan (Miriam) Risenhoover, and Daniel (Kyla) Risenhoover; and six great-grandchildren, Dyson, Olivia, Dax, and Cameron Risenhoover and Dekwone and Marcelino Rosaaen.

Viewing was Sunday, May 17 from 1-5 p.m. at Vial Funeral Home in Eureka. Funeral was 11 a.m. on Monday, May 18 at Our Lady of Mercy Catholic Church in Eureka, with burial at Fortine Cemetery, and life celebration luncheon to follow at Our Lady of Mercy. Online condolences and memories may be shared at www.schnackenbergfh.com.

In lieu of flowers, please send donations to: Sparrow’s Nest of NW MT, PO Box 8384, Kalispell, MT 59904 in memory of JoAnn Rosaaen.