Clearwater Tribune, March 21, 2013
JoAnn Hermanson, 76, Orofino
JoAnn Hermanson, 76, passed away on March 12, 2013, in Orofino. She was born March 2, 1937 to Floyd and Ruby Phelps in Klamath Falls, OR. She married Herman Hermanson and owned and operated a cedar shake mill most of her life. Her love in life was gardening and later painting, which she learned as therapy to recover from her second stroke. JoAnn was a fighter. In her 30s she was one of the first women in the Northwest to receive a mechanical heart valve. Despite her health issues, she had a positive attitude and would meet people with a smile. She had a great personality and always made people laugh.
She moved to Brookside Landing in August 2006, which she called her home. She loved playing games, participating in activities and making new friends. She was always the life of the party.
JoAnn is survived by her children, Ellie and (Clay) Hesson, Carl Hermanson, Tammy Hermanson and Katherine (Gary) Brown; grandchildren, Cody Pate and (Shane Herzig), Justin and (Amy) Pate, Kashala and Joe Cox and Joe Wolfe; great-grandchildren, Kaden and Rylan Pate, Logan Damon and Ollis Herzig, and Anthony Cox; sisters, Beverly Fitzgerald, Sandy Tarr and Shirley Coe; brothers, Lyle Phelps and Kenny Phelps; and her special friend, Eileeen Bristol, from Brookside.
A celebration of her life will be held Saturday, March 30, at 2 p.m. at Brookside Landing in Orofino.
Pine Hills Funeral Chapel and Crematory is caring for arrangements.
Transcribed by Michal Berreth-Beck, 2014