JoAnne Ray Wahl was born August 18th, 1935, in Minneapolis, Minnesota. She was married to Roger Wahl for 58 years and they made their family home in Prior Lake. She was preceded in death by her parents, Margo and Warren Mueller. JoAnne passed away January 14th, 2023, in the comfort of her lake home.
JoAnne lived a full, active, and adventurous life. She was a professional figure skater with the Ice Follies and Holiday on Ice in the 1950’s. She shared her love of skating by instructing at Augsburg College in the 70’s. Throughout her earlier years you could also find her downhill skiing on family trips and spending time with her family in Florida. JoAnne was also very involved in the waterskiing community starting in the 1960’s all the way through the 2000’s. She participated in the Prior Lake Show Team and watched her husband, children, and grandchildren compete in tournaments across the country. One of JoAnne’s other passions was flowers. She was also a very talented florist and worked at a floral shop, as well as started small floral businesses alongside family members.
JoAnne was very proud to be an active member of several Scottish Organizations over the last 25 years. She loved connecting to her heritage through regular meetings, events, and of course, sharing the knowledge and passion with her family. You would often find her adorned in her family tartan on special occasions.
In her later years, JoAnne spent most of her time in her lakeside home on Prior Lake. She loved watching musicals, Outlander, and the Hallmark channel, but her favorite pastime was welcoming visitors. Be it family, friends, or caregivers, she loved reminiscing on her past travels, adventures, and talking about her family. All who spent time with her later in life would share that these conversations with JoAnne held surprising new pieces of information about her and made them smile. She was also so genuinely interested in those she spoke with and finding out about their lives, that she left a mark on their hearts, as well.
A time of gathering will be held on Thursday, January 19, 2023, from 5-7 pm, at Ballard-Sunder Funeral & Cremation, 4565 Pleasant Street SE, Prior Lake and on Friday, January 20, 2023, from 10-10:45 am, with a celebration of life service, at 11 am, at Holy Trinity United Methodist Church, 16150 Arcadia Avenue, Prior Lake. Pastor Chad Gilbertson will preside.
JoAnne is survived by her husband, Roger; children, Brad (Kim), Kimmy Jo, Jeni; grandchildren, Jemma (Cam), Kaira, Tanner, Max; brother, Terry (Nancy); other relatives and friends.
