August 30, 1928 – July 3, 2025
Joanne Marie Emerson (née Warnke), died peacefully in her sleep on July 3, 2025, in Kent, Washington. Although she was born in Toledo, Ohio, Joanne became deeply connected to the Pacific Northwest early in her adult life and considered herself a native.
Joanne was known for her crochet angels and creative embroidery; she loved and served her church community at Zion Lutheran Church in Kent where she faithfully made quilts for Lutheran World Relief and prepared the sacrament for worship services; Joanne held the record for attendance at the annual Zion church camping trips; she often led the weekly bible studies, and served up her best pies at the annual Yulefest. She loved the music of the Lutheran Church and the sound of the tracker pipe organ.
Joanne never gave up on the Mariners even in a rotten season; she had a heart for people in poverty, and probably read every mystery novel there was, often knowing ‘who done it’ before anyone. She also loved her garden, dragging those hoses around until she was 95 years old so her rhododendrons wouldn’t die. She loved her little half acre surrounded by Douglas Fir while knowing her daughter Val lived right next door. Joanne enjoyed the simple things in life despite living a life that was anything but simple.
She joins in light perpetual her beloved husband Bill, who died in 1989. She is remembered by four daughters: Valerie Smith (Craig); Laura Harper (Kent); Christine Emerson (James Boulter); and Carol Emerson (Tyler Yasenak) along with two grandsons Anthony Emerson and Benjamin Ailes, several nieces, nephews and many friends.
In lieu of flowers, please consider a donation to Lutheran World Relief, Zion Lutheran Church in Kent, WA, or any organization that is devoted to helping people who live in poverty. The memorial service for Joanne will take place on Tuesday, July 22 at 2:00 PM, at Zion Lutheran Church in Kent, WA – and also available on their YouTube channel. A visitation will precede the service, starting at 1:00 PM.
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