Joanna Kay Wilson

When someone is identified as a natural leader, certain images come to mind. First thoughts are of a no-nonsense, tough-minded, dedicated and disciplined person. This description accurately fits Joanna Kay Wilson who was indeed a born manager. She will be remembered as being highly organized with a great sense of humor, generous, kind, dedicated, loving, practical, inspirational, and beautiful inside and out. She was a person who always carried a strong sense of duty with her throughout her life. Possessed with traditional “old school” morals, Joanna was an individual who clearly communicated to those around her just who she was and what she was all about. Everyone acquainted with Joanna knew her as a well-respected woman who was a stable force in her community.

She was born to Orlyn Meier and Charlette Ellsworth. Joanna was raised in Watertown, South Dakota. Even as a youngster, Joanna learned to be objective and decisive. Her faith in the principles of hard-work and dependability was something that she carried with her throughout her life.

As a young girl, Joanna always needed be outside and on the go! You would find her riding her bike and collecting snakes or swimming with friends at the pool. Joanna was raised with two siblings. She has one brother, Kelly, and one sister, Julie. Joanna had an inborn appreciation for the order in the family, allowing for the oldest members to be the most respected and to take on the most responsibility. For Joanna, this was a natural order of life, one she gladly embraced.

An objective and conscientious individual, Joanna reveled in the security of her family. One of Joanna’s most endearing qualities was her uncanny ability to remember important dates and anniversaries, and her unending enthusiasm for organizing a celebration for her family and friends. She married the love of her life, Jason J. Wilson, on February 19, 2000.

Joanna was ever watchful of her children. She worried about them and was deeply concerned for their development as they grew up. She maintained a firm hand in their upbringing. Joanna would give her stamp of approval to their requests, as long as she could see how they might benefit. She also had the ability to enforce the rules as needed to ensure that her children were properly raised. Joanna was blessed with two children, one son, Mitchel, and one daughter, Madison.

Being a hard worker who praised efficiency, Joanna was always striving to make improvements where they were necessary. She was able to analyze situations and problems, keeping everything and everyone on track. An excellent trainer and supervisor, Joanna was a person who could quickly make decisions based on the information available. She worked cooperatively and expected the same from her colleagues. In both her personal and professional environments, Joanna upheld her standards. Her primary occupation was in physical fitness. She was the owner and operator of Anytime Fitness in Centralia, Washington. Joanna was a team leader who certainly lived out the motto of “give me a job, and I will get it done.”

Joanna approached her leisure time in the same manner that she approached her life. A person who enjoyed being neat and orderly and one who understood the nature of things, she appreciated the hours she was able to devote to her various hobbies. Her favorite pursuits were of course, training and working out; but also gardening, and collecting antiques and glassware. Joanna was content to enjoy her favorite pastimes alone but was also willing to share her interests with others.

Being generous with her time and energy, Joanna liked to belong to a variety of groups and organizations. She was a vocal leader who enjoyed being a part of things. Her desire to uphold traditions and her ability to take charge of any type of project made her a tremendous asset. Throughout her recent years, Joanna was an active competitor in the National Physique Committee (NPC) USA Championships.

As someone who placed a high value on showing gratitude, Joanna could graciously accept a “thank you” extended to her by those she helped. However, individual recognition wasn’t a motivating force for Joanna; rather, when she saw that there was a need to get something done, she was more than willing to give her time and energy in order to see it accomplished. Some of her most prestigious awards included competing in the 2007 NPC USA Championships Figure Class E, 2008 NPC Junior National Championships Figure Class E, placing 15th at the 2008 NPC Masters National Championships in Figure Class DMasters, placing 8th in the 2010 NPC National Championships in Light-Heavyweight, placing 6th in the 2012 NPC Junior National Championships in Physique Class D, placing 5th in the 2012 NPC National Championships in Physique Class D, placing 4th in the 2013 NPC Masters National Championships in Physique Class CMasters 35+, placing 2nd in the 2013 USA National Championships in the Open Physique class, and placing 3rd in the 2014 NPC Masters National Championships in Physique Class CMasters 35+.

When it came time to travel or take a vacation, Joanna used her scheduling expertise to make sure everyone and everything was ready to go. That also meant that she made certain no single person was overworked in putting the trip together. Joanna had a knack for making sure that everyone who was involved had their specific tasks and that those tasks were completed. Favorite trips included riding ATVs at The Dunes, camping, and boating with her family and friends.

Joanna was a lover of animals and cherished her pets. Her family was rounded out by her two dogs, Ava and Jewels.

Joanna passed away on July 29, 2016 at Desert Springs Hospital in Las Vegas, Nevada. She is survived by her husband, Jay, son, Mitchel, daughter, Madison, mother, Charlette, mother-in-law, Chery (Jim) Ehrhardt, father-in-law, Robert L. Wilson, brother, Kelly Meier, and sister, Julie (Keith) Moller. She was preceded in death by her father, Orlyn Meier.

All who knew her would agree that Joanna was a pillar of the community. She lived her life with her feet firmly on the ground. She had a strong work ethic, was pragmatic in her thoughts and acts, and constantly sought the means for self-improvement. She was willing to share her ideas and knowledge for the benefit of others, so that they could accomplish more in their lives. Joanna Kay Wilson did her best to ensure that her family, friends, loved ones, co-workers, and everyone whose life she touched was given the chance to become a better person.

Arrangements under the direction of Brown Mortuary Service, Chehalis, WA.