Joanne Helen (Mills) Shrode, age 87 of Delano, passed away on July 17, 2024. She was born on September 6, 1936 to Leslie and Virginia (Gilbert) Mills in Bonesteel, South Dakota.

After graduating from Delano High School, Joanne married her high school sweetheart Leland Everett Shrode on June 16, 1956 and remained his devoted and loving wife for 63 years until his passing on December 22, 2019. She and Leland made Delano, Mn their home, raising three sons along the way.

Joanne started her secretarial career at Moulded Products, Inc of Maple Plain, then to the Activity Director Secretary at Delano High School, back to Moulded Products (Pako/Pawnee Rotational Moulding), and finished her career as Secretary/Office Manager at Kittok Sales, also in Maple Plain, MN.

Joanne was an avid and talented gardener evident by her expansive and beautiful flower and vegetable gardens throughout her property in Delano. When not gardening, she pursued her many other creative and artistic talents and passions including, but not limited to, decoupage, knitting, crocheting, needlepoint, cross stitching, sewing and playing the piano. Many of us in the family own her wonderful creations that we proudly display in our homes.

Her biggest passion of all was family and for her, the highlight of each year was having the entire extended family over for every holiday—the main events being the huge 4th of July celebration, and the overly generous and fun Christmas celebration.

Joanne had a smile and a kind word for every person she ever met. She leaves behind a legacy of warmth and kindness that will forever be hard to replicate, and she will be dearly missed by all that knew her.

Preceded in death by her husband Leland; parents Leslie and Virginia Mills; brother Donald Mills; sister Donna Herbst (Mills).

Joanne is survived by her sons Jeffrey (Doreen), Kevin, and Steven (Flo); grandchildren Alan, Averi, Alexandra (Will), Andria, Adam (Tiffany), Matthew, Ryan (Nikki), Collin, Kathryn (Sawyer), Rachel (Zach), Alicia (Aaron), and Michael; and 14 great grandchildren.​

A funeral service will be held at 11 AM on Saturday, July 27, 2024 at the Delano United Methodist Church in Delano, Minnesota. A visitation will be held prior from 9-11 AM, all at the church. Interment in Delano Public Cemetery. A luncheon will follow the burial.