JoAnn Carlson, 78

JoAnn Carlson, 78, of Winner, SD passed away on Sunday, May 9, 2021 at the Avera McKennan Hospital in Sioux Falls, SD.

 Funeral service were held on Thursday, May 13, 2021 at 10:30 a.m.  at the United Methodist Church in Winner, SD.  Burial followed in the Winner City Cemetery.  

  Jo Ann Carlson was born at home on March 18, 1943 to Rella Marie Wheelock in Fremont, Neb. She passed away on at Avera McKennan Hospital in Sioux Falls, South Dakota on May 9, 2021. Jo was adopted by George (Bud) Stickland in 1953 and spent her childhood in rural Tripp County where her love of animals developed.  She rode her horse to school daily, sometimes even in the midst of a blizzard.  She finished school in Winner, South Dakota. 

  In 1960, she married Frank Weaver. To this union was born Frank, Jr.  They soon parted ways and Jo was later married to Dale Engel in 1963.  Dale and Jo welcomed two children, Dean and Dennise, while they lived in rural Tripp County. Dale and Jo separated in 1972.  Jo and her kids then moved to the Oacoma area where they lived until 1980 when they moved to Winner.

  In 2000, Jo married John Carlson, and they purchased a home in the rural Winner area where Jo was able to enjoy her dogs and horses. John passed away in 2002, and Jo began taking in Siberian huskies and German Shepard’s. She eventually added two horses, Lucky and Red.  She shared her love of animals with her grandchildren and great grand-children.

   Jo is survived by her children Frank (Lori) Weaver, Dean (Amy) Engel, Dennise (Bruce) Nielsen, all of Winner and her eight grandchildren: Rachell (Matt) Henning of Maple Grove, MN, Erin (Charlie) Grossenburg of Winner, SD, Robin Curtis of Winner, SD, Miranda Nielsen of Sioux Falls, SD, Lance (Jenny) Engel of Winner, SD, Blake (Reagan) Nielsen of Winner, SD, Landon Engel and Luke Engel of Winner, SD, and fourteen grandchildren, and her brother Gary (Jean) Stickland, Paul and Carol Tonn.

She was preceded in death by her parents, John Carlson (husband), and one uncle, LeRoy Stickland and many of her favorite animals.