Josephine "Joann" Albu

Josephine “Joann” Leopold was born on June 18, 1938 to George and Anna (Hamerlindl) Leopold in St. Paul, Minnesota. She was the youngest of seven children and grew up especially close with her father and older brothers, as they were her steadfast protectors.  Joann attended school until the eleventh grade and enjoyed softball and bowling.

After leaving school, Joann was married and raised five children: Debra, Terry, Diane, Joe, and Mary. During this time, she enjoyed volunteering at her church and doing clerical work for a local mental healthcare clinic. Joann met Verle Albu through a mutual friend and the two began dating and were married on February 8, 2008 at Shalom Lutheran Church in Alexandria.

Together, Joann and Verle enjoyed travelling – especially on bus tours and cruises. They also enjoyed some time in Alabama during a couple of winters. Verle and Joann greatly enjoyed one another’s company, whether it was cooking together, doing chores together, or just giving each other a hard time. After her retirement at age 62, Verle quickly followed and the couple built a home in Alexandria. They later moved to a senior citizen co-op in Maplewood for a time before coming back to Alexandria.

During her life Joann had many health complications. As these complications worsened, she was placed into hospice at Diamond Willow Assisted Living in Alexandria in August of 2023. Even as her health declined, Joann still enjoyed working on her award-winning needlework projects and crocheting as she watched her shows. Joann passed away on January 16, 2024; she was 85 years old.

Left to cherish Joann’s memory are her husband, Verle Albu; children: Debra Casserly, Terry Casserly, Diane (Dennis) Coan, Joe (Kari) Casserly, Mary Casserly; grandchildren: Ryan (Nakeea) Eggers, Leah (Josh) Eggers, Caitlin Coan; great-grandchildren: Maddox Eggers and Miles Eggers; siblings: Ann Marie Peterfesso, Daniel (Helen) Leopold; as well as many other relatives and friends. She is preceded in death by her parents, George and Anna Leopold; and siblings: Marjorie (Harold) Lee, George (Vonnie) Leopold, Thomas (Bobbie) Leopold, Betty (Burt) Hendrickson; and her brother-in-law, Patrick Peterfesso.

Memorial Services for Joann will be held on Wednesday, January 24, 2024 at 11:00 AM at Anderson Funeral Home in Alexandria with Pastor Jerry Lanes officiating. A public visitation will take place one hour prior to services on Wednesday. An additional service will be held this spring. Details regarding this service are forthcoming.  

IN LIEU OF FLOWERS MEMORIALS TO BETHESDA LUTHERAN CHURCH IN ALEXANDRIA AND HABITAT FOR HUMANITY ARE PREFERRED.