Joann T Dols

Joann Dols (nee Wimmer), age 65, passed away January 5th, 2012 after a long battle with heart disease. She is survived by her two children, Monica Haas (Chris) and Craig Dols (Melissa), her brother Gary Wimmer (Lisa), four beautiful granddaughters Violet, Rosalind, Eleanore and Beatrix, sister in law Mary Beth Dols, nieces and nephews Benjamin Thomas, Jacob Thomas (Brooke), Jessica Belser (Duncan), Danielle Mitchell (Kevin), Jacob Fobbe, Paris Fobbe, and Francesca Fobbe and Monica and Craig's father, Jerry Dols.

Joann and Gary were born to Harold and Marie Wimmer in St. Cloud, and eventually moved Minneapolis, MN, where her father, Harry, owned Wimpy's Bike Shop in the Linden Hills neighborhood. She went on to graduate from Edina High School in 1964. She married Jerry Dols, and raised her two children in Minnetonka. Soon after her children went to college, she moved to Seattle.

She was warmly received into the Seattle family (aka "The Commune") and was much loved by Wayne Thomas, Carol Thomas and Mark Wilbert and their children Claire and David, and John Beeman, as well as many others.

Joann was always up for a good a story - she was gal who loved to dish! Joann's terrific sense of humor, generosity, and caring spirit drew a circle of friends to her. She was an independent, strong and feisty woman who knew her own mind, and wasn't afraid to say it. Her days were filled with her Gertie, knitting, cooking and spending time socializing. Joann's four granddaughters were the light of her life, and she was the best grandma ever- skyping, spoiling, fretting, and was involved in every detail of their little lives. She loved them so very much. In June, after retiring from Radia, she was happy to have more leisure time to devote to spoiling her little dog, Gertie, the happiest rescue pup in Mill Creek.

A Celebration of Joann's Life Open House will be held on Saturday, February 4th from 3-5pm at the home of Carol Thomas and Mark Wilbert, 853 NW Elford Drive, Seattle 98177. The family kindly requests an RSVP via e-mail to [email protected] for accurate planning.

Memorial preferred to PAWS (Progressive Animal Welfare Society, Lynnwood, WA), in honor of her beloved dogs, Hildegaard and Gertie.

A Second Celebration of Joann's Life Open House will be held at the home of Craig and Melissa Dols 16606 Festal Ave., Lakeville, MN 55024 on Saturday, February 11th from 10am-12pm, children welcome. Please RSVP to [email protected] so that we can plan accordingly.

Please e-mail your stories, pictures and memories to [email protected] so that we may include them in a memorial CD.