Joanne Mae Kent

About Joanne

Joanne Mae Kent, 84, Park Rapids, MN passed away Saturday, June 17, 2023 at Diamond Willow Assisted Living in Park Rapids.

Joanne was born October 17, 1938 in Cedar Rapids, IA. She was the second of two children born to Albert and Goldie (Havard) Rice. The family lived in Rock Island, IL; Des Moines, IA; and several cities in the Minneapolis area before purchasing a home in Brooklyn Center, MN. Joanne attended North High School, graduating with the class of 1956.

On August 30, 1958, Joanne married Allen Kent, of Anoka, MN. Joanne and Allen were blessed with two sons, Brian and Brett. They made their first home on Knox Avenue in Brooklyn Center, MN. When the boys were teenagers, they moved to a bigger home on Lyndale Avenue in Brooklyn Center and, in 1979, moved to Indian Oaks Court in Arden Hills, MN. In 1999, following Allen’s retirement, they built a new home near Nevis, MN, by the lake cabin they had for many years, near the Badoura Nursery. The two shared 53 years of marriage before Allen’s death in 2011.

Joanne worked part-time on Saturdays for several years at the Sears and Roebuck store in Brooklyn Center. She then began working for Prudential Insurance Company, working her way up to the position of Regional Office Manager. It was when she had traveled to Des Moines, IA for Prudential in July, 1987 that she suffered a brain aneurysm, which forced an early retirement.

After Allen’s death, Joanne moved to the Summerfield Apartments in Park Rapids. In 2014, when Joanne needed additional help with her daily care, she moved to Diamond Willow Assisted Living. She passed away peacefully there in the early morning hours of Saturday, June 17, 2023.

Joanne loved going to the cabin every weekend with her family for fishing and boating, and especially loved blueberry picking time. She enjoyed attending her boys’ hockey games while they were growing up. She also enjoyed doing needlepoint, and never missed the morning TV show “The Price is Right.” She always tried to guess the showcase winner and almost always picked the right one! Even in her final days, she was able to correctly guess the showcase winner.

Joanne will especially be remembered for the love she had for her family. She looked forward to the visits from her grandchildren and great grandchildren. She also loved her three poodles, Lucky, Tanya, and Lucy, and is on a long walk with them now.

Joanne was strong-willed and sometimes stubborn, but her strength undoubtedly helped her deal with her life’s challenges. We know that she is now free from the limitations she incurred from the brain aneurysm and walked into heaven unaided, and that she is now talking endlessly with all the loved ones that have gone before her.

Joanne is survived by her children, Brian (Jill) Kent of East Bethel, MN, and Brett (Brenda) Kent of Park Rapids; 4 grandchildren, Danielle (Kyle) Fulk of Laporte, MN; Ryan (Mariah) Kent of Laporte, MN; Jenna (fiancé Alex Huber) Kent of West Fargo, ND; and Jaelynn Kent of Menomonie, WI; great grandchildren, Clara and Carsen Kent of Laporte, MN; brother, Charles (Vivian) Rice of Aitkin, MN; sister-in-law, Audrey Schadow of North Branch, MN; and nieces, Tammy (Jeff) Grahame of Forest Lake, MN, and Barb (Rick) Johnson of North Branch, MN.

May her memory bring a smile to all who knew her.

She was preceded in death by her parents, Goldie and Albert Rice; and her husband, Allen Kent.

The family would like to thank the staff at Diamond Willow Assisted Living for the care they gave and the time they spent with Joanne over the past nine years.

memorial service

Celebration of Joanne's Life

June 29, 2023

Cease Family Funeral Home 710 1st St W, Park Rapids, MN 56470, USA

Visitation will be an hour before the service.

Funeral/Cremation Provider: Cease Family Funeral Home