JoAnn Johnson-Badavinac, age 96, of Pengilly, MN passed away on Monday,

March 18, 2024, at Home and Comfort in Coleraine, MN.

JoAnn was born in 1927 to Guy and Bennie Foley in Saint Joseph, MO. She graduated from Prospect Park High School, MN. After graduating, she worked as a long-distance operator for the phone company. JoAnn married the "boy next door" Fritz Johnson on March 27, 1947, when he returned from World War II. They moved to Grand Rapids in 1951 after Fritz earned his Bachelor of Science degree from the University of Minnesota. Together they raised five children.

JoAnn worked for the Grand Rapids school district with Title 1 and then later for the Itasca County Jail as a cook and matron; retiring after 18 years. In October 1995, she married Robert Badavinac. JoAnn was a member of Golden Agers of Pengilly, and had a passion for crocheting, embroidery, and sewing.

She is preceded in death by her parents; first husband, Fritz; sons, Gregory and Fred; daughter, Elizabeth. JoAnn is survived by her husband, Robert Badavinac; daughter, Janelle (Pic) Dillman; son, William (Karen) Johnson; daughter-in-law, Kelley Johnson;  sister-in-law, Ellen Foley; six grandchildren, and nine great grandchildren.

A Celebration of Life will be held on Saturday, June 8, 2024, at Libbey Funeral Home from noon to 3:00 PM.