Joanne Marine

Joanne Kay Marine (Joanie) age 74, of Longville, MN peacefully died at her home on Tuesday, March 26, 2013 after a heroic battle with cancer.

She was born to Jess Clinton Sharpe and Gertrude Lois Wakefield Sharpe on March 8th, 1939 at Asbury Methodist hospital in Minneapolis, MN.

When Joanie was two years old, the family moved to a beautiful house at 1726 Portland Ave So in Mpls, MN and stayed until her 6th grade after which her mom and dad bought their first home at 5136 Chowen Ave So. Joanie attended the Robert Fulton School through the 8th grade. She then attended Southwest High School and graduated with the Class of 1957! Joanie enjoyed many class reunions over the years from the 10 year reunion in 1967 to last June's 55th reunion at the Point of France hotel with the many special friends from our great Class of '57!

Joanie is survived by Dennis Marine of Longville, MN, her husband of 28 years, son Mark Ritchie of Brainerd, MN; daughter Lisa Thompson and son-in-law Scott Thompson of Mpls, MN; grand daughters Alissa (Ritchie) Eiesland and her husband, Nate of Mpls, MN; Beth Ritchie of St Paul, MN and Katie Thompson and grandson Jack Thompson of Mpls, MN.

Joanie is now joyfully reunited with those who passed on before her. She is preceded in death by her father Jess Sharpe, age 74 on October 9th, 1982; her mother Gertrude Lois Sharpe, age 97 on January 18th, 2009; her father-in-law Lawrence Marine, age 89 on July 25th, 1995; her mother-in-law Hazel Marine, age 96 on March 15th, 2004. Joanie is also preceded in death by her daughter-in-law Rennette Ritchie, age 51 on August 4th, 2011.

As Joanie's husband Dennis retired after 20 years in the Navy and is a member of the VFW since 1994, she enjoyed serving with the Ladies Auxiliary of the VFW in Longville, Walker and Jenkins, MN. She served as the Secretary of Post #772 of Longville under President Mary Jane Lewis. She also served as the Guard, the Junior Vice and the Senior Vice of the 6th district. She particularly enjoyed serving under the President of the 6th district, Judy Wayt of Brainerd VFW Post #1647.

Joanie also enjoyed serving and being a part of the faith community in Longville. She attended the Longville Community Church for many years and provided office help for Pastor Duane Brown and served as the Mission's Chairman. For the past four years, Joanie has been a dedicated member of the Longville Bible Chapel and has served on the Mission's Committee and as a Deaconess.

A Memorial Service will be held at the Longville Bible Chapel on Sunday, April 21 at 4:00 PM and will be officiated by Pastor Mike Partch. A time fellowship and refreshment will follow the service.

Memorial gifts to the family will be used for the benevolent needs of the church.

Brenny Funeral Chapel and Cremation Services of Pequot Lakes