Joanne Cully

Services for Joanne Cully age 85, of Elbow Lake will be held on Saturday, November 8, 2025, 1:30 PM at Trinity Lutheran Church in Wendell, MN with Dr. Eugene Boe presiding. A visitation with family one hour prior to the service at the church. Interment will be at the Chokio Lutheran Cemetery following fellowship.

Joanne Cully was born on September 29, 1940 in rural Hancock, MN to Walter and Clara (Brunh) Whitmer. Joanne was baptized and confirmed at Our Savior’s Lutheran Church in Chokio. She attended school in Chokio and was a member of the Chokio High School graduating class of 1958.

She loved being a Mom and homemaker to her three daughters: Jody, Jan, and Julie. In 1973, Joanne opened the hotel and café in Elbow Lake. This step in business lead her to become the owner of the Hotel Bar and Café. Joanne’s hospitality career expanded to her ownership of the J & K Café and the Cats Eye Super Club. While working at the Knotty Pine, Joanne became well known for her potato salad.

Joanne was a member of Trinity Lutheran Church in Wendell, MN. She was a dedicated member and was involved in many activities of her faith community. When her girls were younger Joanne served as Sunday School Superintendent and a Sunday School Teacher. She was a member of the Ladies Aid. Joanne had a deep commitment to her church and was a faithful attendee at weekly services.

In her leisure, Joanne loved to embroider quilt blocks that she made into quilts for her family. She also enjoyed puzzles and diamond painting.

Joanne leaves a legacy of laughter, creativity, and support to not only her family, but her friends, and community. Her family can say with love and appreciation that she lived a life that was well-lived, filled with love, laughter, and deep commitment to her Lord and Savior.

She is survived by her life partner of 28 years, Dennis Miller and his son, Darren: daughters Jody (Tom) Steele of South Heart, ND; Jan (Jeff) Maxwell of Benson, MN; and Julie DuVall of Willmar, MN. Step-children, Peggy (Al) Barrers of Bolingbrook, IL; Daniel Cully of OK; and Kenny (Shelley) Cully of WA. Sisters, Betty Marlow of Morris, MN and Rosalie Hall of Dickinson, ND, Sister-in-law, Mary Whitmer of New Prague MN Five grandchildren: Zach, Ashley, Joe, Andrea and Klint. Seven great-grandchildren, Sterling, Brielle, Hayden, Avenley, Sully, Hayes, and Sutton. Many nieces and nephews.

She was preceded in death by her husband Skeeter Cully, parents Walter and Clara Whitmer; sisters, Lois Jean Sach and Luella Peterson, brother Raymond Whitmer; brothers-in-law, John Marlow, Sonny Peterson, Dick Hall, step children Jim Cully and Terie Delair.