JoAnn Catherine Galles

JoAnn Galles, age 96 of Greeley, Colorado passed away on February 13, 2025, at Garden Square Assisted Living in Greeley. She was born on February 8, 1929, to Adolph and Catherine (Mallinger) Schanen, in Lake Church, Wisconsin, and was very proud of her Luxembourg heritage.

JoAnn graduated from Port Washington High School, in Port Washington, Wisconsin. In 1949 she married her first husband. In 1957, they moved to Denver, Colorado.

In 1992, JoAnn married her high school sweetheart, and “love of her life” Thomas E. Galles. Together they sailed in their boat along the Atlantic coast, owned a beach house in Duck, North Carolina, and had a beautiful house on the Poudre River. Whether it was a planned trip to Canada or just driving to “destinations unknown” in the western states, they both loved adventure and often returned to Wisconsin to visit high school classmates.

JoAnn spent most of her working years as an executive secretary. She loved reading, needlework, traveling with her husband, and archiving photos and mementos of her family history. She loved hosting family dinners and was so extremely proud of her grandchildren and great-grandchildren.

JoAnn was a member of St Mary Catholic Church, Newcomers of Greeley, and especially enjoyed her past years with the “Coffee & More” group of friends. JoAnn was an ardent Denver Broncos fan and excellent cook, no matter how many came to visit.

JoAnn is survived by her daughter Ann Lacefield of Greeley. Grandchildren Sean Lacefield (Mary) of Firestone, CO, Scott Lacefield (Ashley) of Lubbock, TX, and Amanda Mize (Lewis) of Dodge City, KS, and her great-grandchildren Izzy, Owen, Tegan, Jenny, Cheyanne, and Aidan. JoAnn was preceded in death by her husband Tom, grandson Aaron Wille, and sisters Dorothy Simpson and Marion Guagliardo.

A family interment will be held in June at Sunset Memorial Gardens. Memorial donations may be made to a charity of your choice.