Joanne (Hall) Freeman, 90
Joanne “Gramma Jo,” “Granna,” “Jo-Jo” (Hall) Freeman passed away peacefully at home surrounded by her family Nov. 4, 2022.
Joanne was the youngest daughter of Ross Liston Hall and Florence Teresa (Bisson) Hall. Born in Spokane, Wash., on Feb. 8, 1932, she enjoyed the “big city” life, including shopping and music lessons, wherein she perfected “There is a Tavern in the Town” — her father’s No. 1 request.
In 1947, the family moved to Turner Bay on Lake Coeur d'Alene in Idaho. There, Joanne’s father set up a sawmill operation and opened the Turner Bay Store. Shortly after, in 1949, Joanne graduated from Harrison High School as salutatorian. On June 26, she married Dale Freeman. Together, they moved to Springston, Idaho, where Dale worked at the Russell and Pugh Lumber Company and in 1951, Joanne gave birth to their first child, Dalene. They then moved to Spokane where Joanne gave birth to their second child, Dale Jr. (Tom) in 1958.
As the kids grew, Joanne led a busy life with garden club and summer trips to Turner Bay. She helped Dalene with pep club and Tom with trips to the ER. The family moved to Kent, Wash., back to Spokane, back to Kent and, eventually, settled in Coeur d’Alene.
Dale landed in real estate sales, and Joanne aided in the negotiations with her skills in the kitchen. Joanne might receive a phone call in the afternoon from Dale asking to bring clients to their beautifully kept home and yard for dinner and drinks. Many a deal was sealed around the Freeman dining room table after a delicious meal prepared by Joanne. Clients became friends and some even became like family.
Joanne loved to spend time with her family, as well as her pets and grand-pets. She loved a lengthy phone call and adored when people would just stop by. Running “a few” errands with Joanne was mostly an excuse to spend time together while driving across town to various stores, because, “Fred Meyer has the best produce, but Yoke’s has the best deals on canned food.” While she never learned to drive herself, she’d treat you to lunch for your efforts. Oh, and she was the woman who held up your grocery line to write a personal check with her immaculate cursive penmanship.
Her yard and garden were a thing of beauty. Up to her final years, she couldn’t help but pull a weed or two while walking out to get the paper. She would plan her garden in the winter, dog-earring the pages in her Burpee catalog for what would look and taste best in the upcoming growing season. She eagerly awaited her seed delivery and then got to work! She was thrilled to share the fruits (and vegetables) of her labor throughout the summer.
Joanne was sharp as a tack even in her final days, and she shared her love of knowledge and games with her loved ones. She excelled at pinochle and Trivial Pursuit, and she was great at puzzles (jigsaw and crossword primarily). She rarely missed an episode of 'Jeopardy!' and nearly always answered the questions before the contestants!
Possibly most iconically, Joanne was the life of the party and threw some of the best of them — every detail thoughtfully planned, but also casual and not fussy. She enjoyed baking with her grandkids and great-grandkids — her cookie jar was rarely empty. For family dinners, she remembered everyone’s food allergies or special diets, making extra entrees when needed. Friends were invited too; somehow, there was always plenty. Joanne made absolutely sure everyone felt welcomed and cared for — “There’s more to eat!”
Joanne is preceded in death by her husband; her parents; siblings Robert and Patranella Hall; parents-in-law Eli and Orpha Freeman; siblings-in-law Joyce and Bob Freeman; and son-in-law Gary Smith.
She is survived by her children and daughter-in-law, Patti Freeman; her sister-in-law, Marilyn Freeman; her grandchildren, Ann (Mark) Cone, Korey (Ron) Russell, Jake (Cheryl King) Freeman, Piper (Mark Williams) Freeman and Kiel Traverse; great-grandchildren Dalton Cone, Hadley Russell, Keaten Russell, Bearett Freeman, Macyn Traverse, Floyd Williams, Elliette Traverse, Clyde Freeman, Lucid, Cohen and Rowan Traverse; step-grandchild Lacie Cone; and step-great-grandchildren, Rosalie and Cassandra Collie. She also is survived by former in-laws, Mary Hess, Mike Clark, JD Childs, Nicole Edwards and Brandon Collie; and multiple nieces, nephews, cousins and their children.
While Joanne’s relatives are listed above, her “family” extends well beyond. We know she meant a lot to so many, and so many of you meant the world to her.
No funeral services will be held at this time. Per Joanne’s request, we will hold a memorial celebration in her honor at 11 a.m. Saturday, June 24, 2023, at the Freeman residence.
Please email JoanneFreemanCelebration@gmail.com or leave a message or text at 208-477-1010 for details. Memorial contributions can be made to causes that Joanne held dear: Kootenai Humane Society, St. Jude Children’s Research Hospital, Boys Town and Juvenile Diabetes Research Foundation (JDRF).
Please visit Joanne’s online memorial and sign her guest book at www.yatesfuneralhomes.com.
