JoAnne KRUGER

JoAnne Kruger died peacefully on July 29, 2024. A loved daughter, mother, grandmother, and great-grandmother, JoAnne was known to light up a room with her smile. Born June 26, 1932, she was the only child of Bill and Caroline Carlson. JoAnne attended Rogers High School (class of 1950) as valedictorian. She joined the Kappa Kappa Gamma sorority, at Washington State University, but soon left to get married. She ultimately graduated Summa Cum Laude from Eastern Washington University, with an accounting degree. She worked in accounting and finance. JoAnne is survived by her three children, Dianne LaVoie (Craig), Cindy Howe (Jim), and Greg Haffner (Debbie); ten grandchildren; and thirteen great-grandchildren. JoAnne was predeceased by her first husband, Merle Haffner (2013); and second husband, Hartly Kruger (2023). JoAnne had many talents. She was an excellent seamstress and enjoyed needlepoint, making heirloom Christmas Stockings for her children and all her grandchildren. During the summer, she spent hours in the yard, tending to her large garden and beautiful flowers. JoAnne also loved to cook, bake, and entertain. A newspaper article once dubbed her, "Spokane's Cookie Lady". Every Christmas, JoAnne made thousands of cookies, of a dozen different varieties, to share with family and friends from near and far. She was best known for her custom gingerbread boys and girls. JoAnne was involved in several community organizations, including Girl Scouts, Spokane International Exchange Council, The Lilac Festival Association, and the American Red Cross. She was a dependable Election Poll worker and regular blood donor. She loved to swim and was known to frustrate the lifeguards at Loon Lake, as a young adolescent, by swimming around the lake. She encouraged her children and grandchildren to join her in a yearly swim across Lake Coeur d'Alene. She was an avid snow skier, but her major athletic activity became distance running. She started later in life and often placed high for her age group in Bloomsday and other long-distance fun runs. Her mantra was, "I like this hill, it makes me strong". JoAnne traveled the world, visiting 35 countries, yet her happiest place on earth was her home on Lake Coeur d'Alene. Designed by JoAnne, it's been a family gathering place for more than 50 years. It's no surprise that many of the family's fondest memories are based on adventures at the lake, where traditions included huckleberry pancakes, making raspberry jam, Thanksgiving dinner in August, late-night games, and bonfires with s'mores. For her 85th birthday, JoAnne's children and grandchildren gave her a piece of art, listing their 85 favorite memories with their Mom and Grandma. Though the list is a simple thing, the memories will be cherished forever. JoAnne's family will celebrate her life at a private family gathering, at a date to be determined. In lieu of flowers, please donate to the Alzheimer's Foundation of America (alzfdn.org).