Things Happen While You're Away...

Joann Marie
Katchmark
Danelski

Joann Marie Katchmark Danelski, 60, died September 18, 2009 at her home on the St. Louis River with her family by her side. Her strength and endurance during her illness were sustained by her unwavering faith.

Joann was born June 26, 1949 in Sturgeon Lake, MN, the baby of 15 children born to Frank and Katherine Katchmark. She had attended the Sturgeon Lake and Willow River Schools. After graduation Joann moved to Duluth and worked for Cutler Magner Co.

She married Ken Danelski in 1968. Joann worked for the Duluth News Tribune until her diagnosis of cancer in 1992. Both she and Ken retired to focus on each other, their family and home.

Joann loved the outdoors and gardening and nature responded to her. She opened her home and gardens to friends and family and generously shared her time and talents with others. She planned parties, loved cooking and baking, decorating for holidays and making cards and games for her family. Her love of the St. Louis River has been captured in many of her photographs. Joann hiked her trails, kayaked, fished and enjoyed every moment of “her” rivers’ gifts. She taught her grandchildren the importance of gathering family and friends and to live each day to its fullest. Her zest for life was infectious to all who crossed her path.

She is preceded in death by her parents; brothers Ted, William, Florian and David; and sisters Patricia and Bernice.
Joann is survived by her husband Ken, of 41 years; sons Corey(Darcey) and Perry(Jill), both of Hermantown; grandchildren Megan, Madison, Austin, Mallory, Katie and Colten; brothers John(Bena), Bernard(Jeanette), Leonard and Frank; sisters RoseMarie(John)Thrun, Leona Bibeau, Leonilla(Jerry)Gilbert and Virginia(James)Zezuelka.

The family would like to thank everyone for their love and support. Her gifts will live on in the hearts and lives of her family and friends and all those she touched in life. “When my earthly life no longer exists, that I have pleased God with my earthly life and inspired others to believe in Him”---Joann.

Visitation Tuesday 5-7 PM with Rosary at 7 PM, all at the Cathedral Of Our Lady Of The Rosary Catholic Church, 2801 E. 4th St., Duluth. Visitation continues from 11 AM until the noon Mass of Christian Burial Wednesday at the Cathedral Of Our Lady Of The Rosary Catholic Church. Burial at Oneota Cemetery. Arrangements by Williams-Lobermeier Funeral Home.

This is the obituary of one of my great aunts. My father comes from an exceptionally big family, and I am sorry to say that many of these Aunties blend together in my mind, although many of the memories I have of these great women are of kindness and strong spirits. On my best days I hope that perhaps I am like them in some ways, and hope that I do justice to the example they’ve set for me. On my worst I am reminded of those who have been through so more than me and have still sparkled with a brilliant light of grace and strength and am reminded that I, too, am capable of this, and should bloody well stop whining.

Although I knew that life would continue on while I was away, these things are always hard to swallow, and can occasionally be made more so by the incredibly tangible distance between me and those I love. Thanks to the miracle of the internet, I was able to get to know Joann a bit more through the loving words posted by her family and friends on her Caring Bridge Website. It’s clear she was loved and appreciated by many, and will be greatly missed.

Here is one of the last entries on her Caring Bridge website before she passed:

“I was looking through some of Joann's photos and stuff by her computer today and ran across a story my mom saved about "The Power of Prayer" from the Duluth News Tribune. The story ran on Christmas Day of 1996. The story had featured Joann with her cancer and her faith. Here are some parts of the article.

"This Christmas, Joann Danelski could have been dying from lung cancer. Instead, she'd joyously celebrated the holidays at home with family and friends. Her cancer which had been doubling every six months, has unexpectedly stopped growing. Her Mayo Clinic physicians are astounded, and they believe Danelski when she tells them that this gift of life comes directly from family and friends who are praying for her, as well as from her own faith and positive attitude. "It's nothing short of miraculous. The doctor said to keep doing whatever I was doing. I said we pray alot. He said 'It's working.'" While Danelski believes prayer has helped her, she still expects to die from lung cancer. In the meantime, she takes care of her health and savors each day and her relationships to the fullest. "I've never asked God to take the cancer away. I've asked for help to live with this in peace, and it's happening," she said. "I've been given extra days and He's put me at peace with it."”

Rest Peacefully, Joann. Know that you’ve given me more inspiration and strength to continue striving for the sometimes seemingly insurmountable challenges I face here. Blessings of strength and grace to her family and friends who are missing her now, and navigating a new way of life without her. Peace be with you all.
Jen