Joanne J. Bruce

Joanne J Bruce 82 of Little Falls, MN, died Friday June 7, 2024, at St. Otto’s Care Center in Little Falls, MN. Joanne Jessie (Beale) Bruce was born March 8, 1942, at Madison General Hospital in Madison, WI. She was the daughter of Elmer Leroy Beale and Gladys Genevieve (Clemans) Beale.

She spent the beginning of her life at the Beale Family Farm near Lake Waubesa. Her family lived on the farm until they moved to the Town of Madison in the late 1940s. Joanne attended Silver Springs School with her siblings and graduated from Madison West High School in 1960. She was very active in the Dane County Junior Fair winning ribbons for her chocolate chip cookies and muffins. Starting in her youth, she was active in Girl Scouts Troop 94 with her sister, Roberta. This love of scouting carried on into adulthood by her volunteering for Den Pack 52, by being a Den Mother for the Cub Scouts, and being a Brownie troop leader. Joanne was the lunch lady at Van Buren School in the 1960’s. She worked at Accudyne for many years until retiring in 2004.

In 2005, Joanne moved to Little Falls, MN to make it her home. She spent quality time with her brother, Elmer, and his family. She was a cancer fighter and survivor multiple times.

Joanne is survived by her children, Eric (Robin) Bruce, Wanda (Doug) Keating and Wayne Bruce. She is also survived by her brother, Elmer (Emily) Beale; and James Bruce, the father of her children.

A special thanks to Elmer, Emily and James (nephew), for taking care of her in her later years. Joanne will be missed by her children and grandchildren: Angela (Jasper) Rummelhoff and Taneah Bruce, Becky Williams, Tonya Champlain, Matt (Helena) Keating, and Nick (Margaret) Keating. She will also be missed by her great grandchildren: Camron, Toby, Kyleigh, Ryleigh, Caleb, Jayden, Lillie and Sawyer; three great great grandchildren: Kora, Shelby and Osiris; and by her many nieces and nephews. She was preceded in death by her parents, and sisters, Donna, Genevieve, Lorraine and Roberta. The Beale sisters are all in the heavenly kitchen discussing who is the better cook. You will be missed by your family. In lieu of flowers, memorials may be made to the Cancer Society.

Visitation will be from 1 p.m. to 1:30 p.m. on Wednesday June 12, 2024, at Milton Lawns Memorial Park Chapel, 2200 Milton Avenue, Janesville with funeral services to follow at 1:30 p.m. Wednesday June 12th in the chapel. Pastor James Johnson will officiate. Entombment will be in Milton Lawns Mausoleum.

Joanne Bruce’s family is being assisted by HENKE-CLARSON FUNERAL HOME. Online condolences are welcome at www.henkeclarson.com.