Joanne S. Johnston

Joanne was born on March 11, 1930 in Peoria, Illinois to Elmer Florian and Anna E. (Kolb) Spitznagel. She was a proud graduate of Shortridge High School (1947) and Vassar College (1951) and maintained strong ties to both institutions throughout her life. A life-long learner, Joanne continued her education at Indiana University where she received a M.A. (1970) and Ph.D. (1974) in English. While taking classes, Joanne was a lecturer in the English Departments of the University of Indianapolis and Indiana Central College (now University of Indianapolis). She later worked as a paralegal for two prominent Indiana law firms which piqued her interest in law. At the age of 50, Joanne received a J.D. at Indiana University-Indianapolis with her first grandchild in attendance. She was proud to be a member of the Indiana and Minnesota State Bar Associations.

Joanne raised her family in Indianapolis where she was active in her community. She was a 60-year member of the Garden Club of America and the Indianapolis Woman’s Club and had been a member of the Junior League of Indianapolis, the Christamore House Guild and the Contemporary Club. In 1982, she married Donald Johnston and moved to Minneapolis, where she began a career as a writing and communications consultant for the Carlson School of Management at the University of Minnesota. A Hoosier at heart, Joanne returned to Indiana with Don after retirement where they lived on Lake Monroe and later Indianapolis and enjoyed winters in Sarasota, Florida.

Joanne’s passions were music, nature, and travel. She was an accomplished pianist and received a piano scholarship to Vassar College. She also loved birds and the outdoors and enjoyed visiting her family’s farm in Owen County, Indiana. An avid traveler, Joanne visited Europe, China, Russia, Japan, and Belize. In her later years, Joanne enjoyed bridge and Mahjongg.

Joanne is survived by four daughters: Mary J. Bennett of Indianapolis, Ariana H. Bennett of Raleigh, N.C.; Caroline B. Ammerman (Robert) of Cincinnati, OH; and Joanne B. Jeffers (William) of Sarasota, FL. Joanne is also survived by her brother, John K. Spitznagel of Chapel Hill, NC. Seven grandchildren also survive her: Anna G. Spitzer (Brett) of Denver, CO; Sarah J. Grain (Tedd) of Indianapolis; John N. Graub (Nimilolu Fafowora) of Indianapolis; Patrick B. Ammerman of Bogota, Colombia; Evan R. Ammerman of Portland, OR; Ann J. Jeffers of New York, NY; and Lillian R. Bennett of Raleigh, NC. In addition, Joanne is survived by six great-grandchildren. Joanne is predeceased by her former husband and father of her children, Charles H. Bennett, and by her loving husband, Donald R. Johnston.

The family would like to give thanks for the care provided from all those who assisted her at Hoosier Village Health Center and have been a big part of her life for the past year.

The family requests that donations be made in lieu of flowers to the Vassar College Fund, 161 College Avenue, Box 14, Poughkeepsie, New York 12603.