Joanne Eickhoff

Obituary

Joanne E. Eickhoff, age 94, of Pequot Lakes, MN, passed away peacefully at the home of her daughter, Jan Eickhoff, with Jan by her side, on Thursday, March 26, 2026, in Lake Shore, MN.

Birth and Family Background

Joanne was born on July 22, 1931, in Anthony, Kansas. She was the cherished daughter of Lucian and Julia Griggs, who provided a loving and supportive environment throughout her lifetime.

Education

Joanne completed her secondary education at Williams High School, located in Williams, Minnesota, graduating with the class of 1949. Following her graduation, she pursued higher education at Bemidji State Teachers College, which is now known as Bemidji State University. There, she earned a baccalaureate degree in education in 1953, focusing her studies on both physical education and business.

Marriage and Family

In July 1953, Joanne married her high school sweetheart, Loran Eickhoff. Together, they had three children: Jeff Eickhoff (Mounds View, MN), Lynda Wilson (Pequot Lakes, MN), and Jan Eickhoff (Lake Shore, MN). Throughout her life, Joanne’s greatest priority was her family. She devoted herself to her husband and children, ensuring that their needs and well-being were always at the forefront of her thoughts and actions.

Career

From 1954 through 1955 Joanne served as a private secretary for the U.S. Army Brigadier General at Fort Sill, Oklahoma alongside her husband who served as head basketball coach for the U.S. Army.

Joanne chose to be a stay-at-home mother, providing care and support for her family until each child reached school age. She then began her full-time Special Education teaching career in 1966, continuing until her retirement in 1993. Through her commitment to continuing education, Joanne earned credentials equivalent to a master’s degree. Her dedication to academic and professional growth was evident, and she was held in high esteem by both her students and colleagues throughout her career. Joanne’s pursuit of knowledge and her passion for teaching left a lasting impression on those who had the privilege to learn from her and work alongside her.

Personal Interests and Hobbies

Joanne pursued many interests during her lifetime, with sports—especially golf—being a favorite. She played year-round, spending winters in Arizona and summers in the Brainerd Lakes Area, participating in a women's league. Joanne won several trophies for her golfing efforts and never missed a PGA tournament broadcast. She was a devoted supporter of her husband, attending every one of his basketball games for over 30 years. Joanne was also an avid Vikings fan.

Reading was another passion; she often read three books per week in her retirement. Joanne loved cooking and baking, and she enjoyed nurturing her family and friends. Every visitor to her home was offered her famous homemade chocolate chip cookies and cold iced tea. In the last decade of her life, she assisted in writing and editing six of her daughter’s popular cookbooks, Janeva’s (Jan) Kitchen, and was delighted when asked to autograph a cookbook.

Family Legacy

Together, Joanne and Loran designed and built their family cabin on Lake Ossawinnamakee in Crow Wing County, MN, which was enjoyed by the family for 45 years. After retirement, they became snowbirds, spending winters in Mesa, Arizona, for 15 seasons after purchasing a winter home there.

Friendships and Character

In her later years, Joanne faced profound loss, enduring the passing of her husband, two children, and a grandson. Despite facing significant hardships, Joanne maintained a strong and enduring bond with her daughter, Jan, who remained close to her, living within ten miles. This proximity allowed Jan to be a constant source of support and companionship throughout Joanne’s life. In addition to her family ties, Joanne shared an extraordinary 92-year friendship with Carol Clark of Los Angeles, California. This lifelong connection exemplified Joanne’s loyalty and her remarkable ability to form and nurture deep relationships, standing as a testament to her character and dedication to those she loved.

Joanne was known to all for her kindness, gentle spirit, and quick wit. Her love for her family was unwavering, and her appreciation for her friends was evident in the way she nurtured and cherished those closest to her. Now at peace, Joanne leaves behind a legacy of warmth and compassion and will be dearly missed by all who knew her.

Survivors and Preceded in Death

Joanne is survived by her daughter, Jan Eickhoff of Lake Shore, MN; her son-in-law, Pete Wilson of Pequot Lakes, MN; sisters-in-law, Avis (Luvern) Eickhoff of Bemidji, MN and Eileen (Harvey) Wilmar of Warroad, MN; brother-in-law, Harvey (Eileen) Wilmar; numerous nieces, nephews, great nieces and nephews, and a host of friends.

She was preceded in death by her parents, Lucian and Julia Griggs; her husband, Loran Eickhoff; her son, Jeff Eickhoff; her daughter, Lynda Wilson; her grandson, Samuel Eickhoff-Mazariego; brothers, Robert W. (Nona) Griggs and Donald (DiAnn) Griggs; brothers-in-law, Luvern (Avis) Eickhoff and Lawrence (Janet) Eickhoff; sisters-in-law, Nona (Bob) Griggs, Janet (Lawrence) Eickhoff, and DiAnn (Don) Griggs.

Service Information

Services will be held at 2 PM on Saturday, April 11, 2026, at Our Savior's Lutheran Church in Pequot Lakes, MN. Visitation will take place one hour prior to the service.

Celebration of Life Attire

The family kindly requests that all who attend Joanne’s service honor her memory by wearing blue and white, or simply blue. This gesture serves as a meaningful tribute, reflecting her fondness for blue and white striped blouses. These blouses were not only a staple in Joanne’s wardrobe but also became the subject of playful teasing among her family members—a lighthearted reminder of her style and personality.

A Gathering of Celebration

Rather than being a time of sorrow, this gathering is intended as a celebration of Joanne’s life. In her final days, Joanne reflected fondly on her journey, stating, “I’ve had a great life.” Let us raise a toast to her cherished memories and honor a life well lived.