Joanne Blockey

JoAnne Marie (Pietsch) Blockey
August 19, 1931- May 3, 2023

JoAnne Blockey passed away peacefully at age 91 at Amira Choice in Roseville, MN.

She was preceded in death by her loving husband, John A. Blockey; by her parents, Joseph and Anna (Hoehn) Pietsch; by her sisters, Charlotte (Jack) St. Martin and Sister Mary Joyce; her brother, Joseph; and her stepdaughter, Carol Ann Buckley.

She is survived by her brother, Roger (Ruby); by her sister-in-law, Annie; stepchildren, Sandy (Keith) LeBlanc, Gregory Blockey, Gail O'Brien, Mark (Gloria) Blockey, Paula (Scott) Patterson; and by many loving nieces, nephews, grandchildren and great-grandchildren.

JoAnne was a graduate of St. Catherine University and began her career as a writer and editor at Brown & Bigelow where she wrote under the name Betty Baker. Her personal life was full of adventure and opportunity including buying her first car before she knew how to drive, but none can compare to her marriage in 1972 to John, the perfect partner to disrupt her life with a house full of stepchildren, a dog, and Saturday night dancing to Big Bands. She took a temporary job with the Minnesota Senate at the State Capitol but was surprised to find what an interesting place the Capitol is, so she stayed for 23 years, retiring in 1998. In quieter times she loved old movies and will always be remembered for her laughter and hugs.

Visitation 10-11 am, Mass of Christian burial at 11 am Thursday May 11, at St. Stanislaus (398 Superior Street Saint Paul, MN)