JoAnn Mandell

In Loving Memory of Jo Ann M. (Adams) Mandell

Jo Ann M. Mandell, born February 8, 1931, in Faribault, Minnesota, passed away from complications of Parkinson's on June 21, 2025, at the age of 94. Her loving family, deeply grateful for her constant presence, was forever enriched by her strength, insight, empathy, and sense of humor. Jo’s influence radiated far beyond her immediate circle, touching her community in profound and lasting ways. Her gift for emotional connection was a light she shared until her final days.

Jo’s early years were rooted in Faribault, where she graduated from Bethlehem Academy high school in 1948. It was there she met her lifelong partner and love, Art Mandell. Their high school romance blossomed into a marriage on June 11, 1951, in Faribault, setting the foundation for a partnership defined by support, shared dreams, lots of laughter, and mutual admiration. Jo and Art shared a remarkable life, a true partnership that weathered challenges and celebrated victories side by side. Their down-to-earth natures and ability to not take themselves too seriously carried them through many hard times.

As the youngest of four by several years, Jo was cherished by her siblings, all of whom she greatly admired, especially her brother Bob who inspired her love of learning, art, music, and literature—passions she joyfully passed along to her family and community. Her relationship with her mother was one of deep friendship, and she held great appreciation for her father’s quiet wit. With her siblings grown and gone, Jo was often home alone, a true latch-key kid—curious, sharp, and resilient. She explored the hollow behind their home, chatted with backyard chickens, and forged lifelong friendships with a few of the neighborhood kids.

In high school, Jo’s relationship with Art was a strong one — and an adventurous one. She enjoyed his days as a teen pilot, rode next to him in cars that often broke speed limits, and generally had fun discovering life together. Jo had a feisty, fun, and somewhat irreverent nature, yet was equally drawn to refinement—fashion, rich conversation and proper manners. This unique combination made for an endearing, delightful woman who carried herself with grace.

The early years of Jo and Art’s marriage were spent on his family’s third-generation dairy farm, where they lived with his parents and grandmother. Raising young children amid the long, demanding days of farm life, Jo was both a loving mother and a vital partner in the farm business. She fed the kids and the crew and helped the establishment run smoothly. Ever creative, she somehow found time for knitting, sewing, and embroidery. In 1958, the couple bought a farm of their own, but soon an opportunity shifted their path—Art’s dream of owning a Dairy Queen became reality. With characteristic determination, Jo declared the famous phrase, “I go where the wild goose goes,” and the family relocated, with 4 children in tow, to Missoula, Montana. A place completely foreign, where they knew no one.

Thanks to the kindness of strangers, who grew into lifelong friends, Missoula quickly became home. Jo kept the books at the Dairy Queen, oversaw payroll, managed accounts, and even prepared her own Sloppy Joe recipe for the menu. The business and family’s success was owed in no small part to her intelligence, courage, and work ethic. As Art pursued additional ventures, Jo was always at the heart of their shared achievements. Jo’s community engagement grew as she raised her family. She was a Cub Scouts den mother, long-time choir member at St Anthony and St Francis churches, contributor to countless potlucks, and steadfast supporter of her kids' endeavors. She sang in the Missoula Symphony Chorale for 12 years, performed on stages across town and even experienced the thrill of singing at Carnegie Hall. Her talent extended to the visual arts, with watercolor paintings featured in Missoula’s public spaces through the Main Street Artists group. Her hand-painted Christmas cards were cherished treasures, each one a holiday greeting uniquely hers. Jo enjoyed playing cards with friends in bridge club, and loved to travel. Over the years, she and Art shared many adventures to exciting parts of the world.

A compassionate spirit, Jo gave generously of her time—delivering Meals-on-Wheels, volunteering for the Red Cross, and reaching out to parents facing unimaginable loss, a pain she knew too well. Her philanthropy included close ties to Our Lady of Peace in St. Paul, MN, and St. Patrick House in Missoula. At home, Jo was the quiet architect of family culture, nurturing values rooted in faith, curiosity, and kindness. Though she treasured solitude and deeper one-on-one conversations, when she joined social gatherings, she lit up the room. Her spirituality ran deep and was often reflected in her art and reverence for nature.

Jo is survived by her children: Kathy (Bob) Howlett of Missoula; John (Cindy) Mandell of Florence; Mike Mandell of Missoula; Maggie Mandell (Mark Ramsey) of Nashville, TN; and Chris (Colleen) Mandell of Seattle, WA. She leaves behind grandchildren Erin Howlett, Jacob (Michelle) Mandell, Anna (Ken) Vaillancourt, Matthew (Ali) Mandell, Elizabeth Mandell, Mason Mandell, and Asher Mandell, and great-grandchildren Emily and Reagan Mandell, Olivia and Charlotte Vaillancourt, and Avery and Madison Mandell, as well as many beloved nieces and nephews. She was preceded in death by her devoted husband of 73 years, Art Mandell; her son Mark Mandell; daughter-in-law Debra (Nurse) Mandell; her parents, Peter and Christine (Teply) Adams; brothers Arnold and Robert Adams; and sister Dorothy (Adams) Corkill.

A lover of stories, games, clever conversation, and heartfelt exchanges, Jo’s radiant laugh, beautiful smile, and sharp wit live on in all who were fortunate to know her and experience her deep insight. In her memory, whistle a favorite tune in public, share a classical record, shoot the moon in Hearts, strike up a conversation with a random stranger, dive into a novel or crossword, and above all—take the time to connect with someone the way Jo always did: with curiosity, sincerity, and compassion. She had a way of making you feel included and special, bringing joy and laughter to each encounter.

“ The best and most beautiful things in the world cannot be seen or even touched - they must be felt with the heart” - Helen Keller

In lieu of flowers, donations may be made to St. Patrick House in Missoula—a cause close to Jo and Art’s hearts, born from a time when they themselves struggled to find housing while caring for their sick son. Their hope was simple: that no family should face hardship without a safe place to land.