Joanne Keute obituary

Joanne Margaret (Harris) Keute, age 88, passed away peacefully in the company of her family on Saturday, September 25, 2026.
Joanne was born on February 21, 1938, in Red Wing Minnesota to Mark Harris and Margaret “Madge” (Ryan) Harris. She attended St. Joseph Catholic school until 8th grade and graduated from Red Wing (Minnesota) High School in 1957. In high school she loved being a Winger cheerleader. She met Tom in high school, who had moved from Lake City his senior year. They were married in Red Wing in 1958.
Growing up with five siblings near a golf course and an open field across the street, she was introduced to playing softball, sliding, skiing and football. She claims to have been able to “hit the ball as hard as her brothers and throw a pretty good spiral.”  All of this helped, as Joanne, Tom and their four children participated in a variety of sports. She was her kids’ biggest cheerleader for sure.
She worked part-time at the Pine Island High School in the office and library and then became an assistant at the Van Horn Public Library.
A few of Joanne’s favorite things to do were spending time in her gardens, both vegetable and flowers, but her favorite by far was the flowers. She was a member of the Lake City Minnesota Garden Club and Red Hats. She was a great cook and kept hundreds of recipe cards all in her own writing. Reading, crossword puzzles, boating, snowmobiling, and playing cards with friends were also things she enjoyed. She loved reading to her grandkids!
Once the kids had graduated, she and Tom moved to Lake City to enjoy Lake Pepin in the summer and wintered in Arizona for over 20 years. Then it was back to Pine Island in an apartment.
Joanne is preceded in death by husband Tom by only 24 hours; her parents; and siblings, her twin Johnny, Tommy, Virgil, Alleyne and Betty.
Joanne is survived by her children, Brian (Sharon) Keute, Todd (Lori) Keute, Sherry (Bill) Lindsey and Lisa (Bob) Kelley.  Grandkids Sarah, Bill, Caitlin (Tony), Ally (Erin), Maddie, Mishawna (Caleb), Laramie (Kayla), Kiara (Craig), Brandon (Sara), and Amber (Jon). Great-grandchildren Aubrey, Bodie, Molly, Thomas, Maclan, Edith and Charlotte.
A Celebration of Life will be Saturday, October 17, 11 a.m. to 2 p.m. at the Pine Island American Legion, 108 1st Ave. SE, Pine Island MN 55963.
Joanne worked and loved the Van Horn Public Library. Memorials given to the library would mean more to us than flowers. Van Horn Public Library, 115 3rd Street SE, Pine Island, MN 55963.
Arrangements by Schleicher Funeral Homes, Lake City Chapel.  Guest register may be signed at www.schleicherfuneralhomes.com.