Joanne Callier

Joanne Gayle Syverson was born June 8, 1940 in Minneapolis, MN, the daughter of Harold and Berney (Christianson) Syverson. She grew up in rural Kensington and attended school in Kensington and Morris. On February 25, 1958 Joanne was united in marriage to Arnold Wirtjes. The couple made their home in Herman, MN and was blessed with four children. In 1967 they moved to northeast Minneapolis. Joanne worked for a linen company that served hospitals. In 1988 Arnold died. Joanne remained in Minneapolis where she met Kenneth Callier. On May 13, 2000 Joanne and Ken were joined in marriage. In 2002 they retired and moved to Alexandria. Joanne was an artist; she enjoyed oil painting and drawing. Joanne also did craftwork and enjoyed sewing. She loved to work in her flower gardens. Joanne and Ken liked to travel and take bus trips across the United States and into Canada. Joanne loved children. When she was younger she taught Sunday school. Later on she operated her own daycare and served the schools as a volunteer grandmother. On Friday, February 25, 2011 Joanne died at the age of seventy years. Her first husband, Arnold Wirtjes and one brother, Richard Syverson, preceded her in death. Joanne is survived by her husband, Kenneth Callier of Alexandria; five daughters, Debbie Hickman and husband, Michael, of Isanti, MN, Kelly Wirtjes and Timothy LaPoint of Minneapolis, Diann Rahimian of Bloomington, MN, Robin Wirtjes of Minneapolis and Nancy Ray and husband, Bryon, of Minneapolis; ten grandchildren; eleven great grandchildren; one brother, Robert Syverson of Bloomington; two sisters, Shirley Miller of Spring Lake Park, MN and Judy Sanders of Minneapolis; and many, many friends. A funeral service was held Monday, February 28, 2011 at Anderson Funeral Home in Alexandria. Reverend Greg Billberg was the officiant. Interment in Hillside Cemetery in Minneapolis will be at a later date. Arrangements were with the Anderson Funeral Home.