JoAnn Harris Raulerson

JoAnn was born in Maynard, Minnesota on March 19, 1929, to William and Ida Harris. She was the second youngest of thirteen children. She grew up on her family’s farm in Maynard and graduated as Valedictorian from Maynard High School in 1947.

In 1948, JoAnn moved to Bradenton, FL and married John Strickland. They had two daughters, Patty and Nancy. During her time in Bradenton, JoAnn worked for the Florida Highway Patrol.

In 1971, she moved to Tallahassee and was remarried to Captain Jake Raulerson of the FHP and gained two stepchildren, Jim and Alice. During her time in Tallahassee, she worked for the Florida Department of Education as the secretary to the Commissioner of Education for nearly twenty years.

JoAnn spent her retirement travelling the world with her friends and family, as well as with her church on mission trips. She also spent years volunteering at a local hospital.

Her hobbies included gardening, reading, jigsaw and crossword puzzles, rooting for the Florida State Seminoles and spending time with her very large family.

She was preceded in death by her parents and twelve siblings, husband Jake and grandson Chris Blackburn.

She is survived by daughters Patty Blackburn (Don) and Nancy Hurd (Steve), stepchildren Jim Raulerson (Karen) and Alice Garrison (Roy), grandchildren Chelsea Matelau (Onesi), Cassandra Rush, Dr. Ami Grek (Mark), Conrad Garrison (Kellyn), Brad Raulerson (Catherine), Suzanne Ehingers (Jon), Matthew Hurd (Meredith) and Rebekah Mercier (Jordan), great-grandchildren Alisi Matelau, Curtis Matelau, Octavious James, Shelby Eikel, Jaxon Rush, Kelesi Matelau, Addie Grek, Kale Hurd, Brayden Raulerson, Ruthe Hurd, Hank Garrison, Bryce Raulerson and Soren Ehingers and great-great-grandchildren Maka Matelau, Onesi Yon and Oliver James.

In lieu of flowers, please consider making a donation in JoAnn’s memory to the Deer Lake Church Mission Programs. Information about donating can be found at https://deerlakechurch.org/give.