Joanne Gunnerson Obituary

Jo Gunnerson

Joanne Catherine Schwarzwalter Gunnerson was born on April 19, 1933 in Yakima, Washington and grew up in the apple country of Cowiche, Washington.
Jo attended Pacific Lutheran College and graduated in 1954 with a BA in Education and later earned her Masters in Education from Seattle Pacific University in 1988.
Throughout her varied teaching career she taught music, PE, third and fourth grade, reading and math. She retired from teaching at Everett School District in 1998.
Her passions included music, singing, participating in and watching sports, cooking, reading, and crossword puzzles. She had a great love of travel and visited England, Malaysia, Hong Kong and South Africa.
She was an active member of Trinity Lutheran Church, the Hearing Loss Association and the SayWhatClub.
She is survived by her children, Karen Thibodeau (Ray), of Walnut Creek, CA, Janet Amundson (Phil), of Auburn, WA and Eric Gunnerson (Kim), of Bellevue, WA; by her grandchildren, Scott Amundson, Stephen Amundson and Samantha Gunnerson; and by sister, Doris Rosinbum; and brother, Bill Schwarzwalter.
A memorial service will be held on Thursday, June 9, at 1:00 p.m. at Trinity Lutheran Church in Lynnwood, Washington.
In lieu of flowers, donations may be made to the Trinity Lutheran Church music fund, the Pulmonary Fibrosis Society, the Hearing Loss Association of America or Pacific Lutheran University.

To plant trees in memory, please visit the Sympathy Store.

Published by The Herald (Everett) from Jun. 5 to Jun. 7, 2011.

Memories and Condolences
for Joanne Gunnerson

13 Entries

Sherry Cochran

June 13, 2011

My heart & prayers go out to Jo's family. Although we only knew one another a short time, she was the type of person that made you feel as if you had been a lifelong friend. The first time I met her I was impressed by her intelligence, underlined by sparkling eyes as she spoke with a wry sense of humor. Her enthusiasm for life inspired me, as did her immense inner strength: she was swimming laps even after she began oxygen treatment,keeping the tank at one end to use after each lap. Because of her passion for music, I know she is one of God's special angels: a sololist in Heaven's choir.

Darcy Enberg

June 11, 2011

Sorry to hear about your families loss! She was a great teacher when I was in school!

Jessica Pavish

June 7, 2011

Karen and family--I am sorry to read of your Mother's passing. I think I met her as a substitute teacher at EHS before I met you, but always felt a kindred spirit in the Gunnerson women! Hope this finds you well and know that my thoughts are with you.

June 6, 2011

Jo, I know that you have been ready to go to God for awhile. Now he has taken you home. Rest my Freind. I am so glad that I was able to be a part of your life, I will miss you.
Love from your friend Belinda Riba

sandi enfield

June 6, 2011

I did not get a chance to meet Joanne, but when she knew that I was thinking of getting a CI, she offered sending her book written about a wonderful lady and her experience with her CI to me. I of course reimbursed her the postage. I was supposed to offer the book in the same fashion that she did to me. I have written a few times to our SWC Organization CI list but NO ONE responded yet. I hope that someone will ask for that book.
She was a wonderful caring person. We all will miss her.
Sandi Enfield from Mt. Arlington, NJ

Martha Mattox-Baker

June 5, 2011

Jo was a wonderful friend and fellow committee member with the SayWhatClub. I loved her personality and will greatly miss her. My prayers go to her family and friends at this time.

Jan Christenen

June 5, 2011

I was so sorry to learn about Jo's passing. She had a special place in my heart--I loved her warm, funny self. She will be missed.

June 5, 2011

Janet, Karen and Eric, I am sorry for the loss of you mother.
she was a mother with much love for all of you and for her grandchildren. My thoughts and prayers are with you at this time.

Jo was my friend, my confident and my travel mate.
we shared some wonderful time in South Africa and also in Canada and the USA. I will miss her humor, her wisdom and our chats and emails to each other.

Donna Penman
Philadelphia, PA

DAWN CIRRITO

June 5, 2011

I WIL MISS JO GRETLY IWAS HONORD TO HVE MET HER IN PALM SPRING WE WER ON SAM GRUP VISTA OF SYA WHT CLUB WE EMILD PRIVATLY I LOVED HER SMIL HER WIT HER JOKE AND HER WISDOM SHE WSA A GRET FRINED IAM THANKFUL TO GOD SHE IS AT PEAC AND IN GODS HNDS AND LOVING CRE NOW MAY GOD BLES THE FAMILY AND KNWSHE HAD MANY MANY FRIEND WHOWLL MISS HER BUT REJOIC IN HER NEW JOURNY IN LIFE SHE IS NOW A ANGEL SHINING A RAY OF HOP THROUG OUT THE WRLD DAWN PIGLET VISTA SAY WHT CLUB

Dawn Ward

June 5, 2011

Jo was a good friend and I was blessed to have met her through the Say What Club. I will miss her humor, smile and just being Jo. I will never forget her.

Wia Kotze

June 5, 2011

Jo Gunnerson was more than a friend to me - she was one of my "cyber sisters" - After her visit to South Africa in 2003 we never lost contact - our friendship only intensified. She will remain in my heart as friend and "sister" and I will often look upon the many photos that will keep the memories alive. My sincere condolences to her children and family. Wia Kotze, Pretoria, South Africa

Ellen Luse-Say What Club

June 5, 2011

Jo was such a warm and friendly person. She will be missed.

Suzanne Buck-McGill

June 5, 2011

Karen and families. Mary shared with me that your mother had passed. I remember her when she helped at school during our younger years. Your mom had a way of warming my heart. She is remembered fondly. My thoughts and prayers are with you and yours during this time of great loss.

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