Joann Mae Brink

JoAnna was born on September 30, 1940 in St. Paul, MN to Howard Olaf and Geneva “Gerry” May Thompson. She attended Johnson high school and married following graduation.

The birth of her son Larry and daughter Jeralyn came in later years, as did a strong acceptance of Jesus Christ as her Lord and Savior.

In later years she married Glen Growe and became a partner in his entrepreneurial business in St. Paul. She became a designer for many of their products including soft toys for Barnum and Bailey Circus, Easter egg dying kits, and model ships for Disney Cruise Lines. This venture led her to extensive business travel to Asia working with suppliers there.

After many years of living in the chill of Minnesota, she and Glen decided to head for Arizona and finally settled in Sun Lakes. There they established many wonderful friendships. After Glen passed in 2008 JoAnna moved to Mesa, AZ

JoAnna and Jim were introduced to each other early in 2016 and married later that same year, settling in her home in Mesa.

Knowing they were in their senior years, Jim and JoAnna decided to travel as much as they could and they did just that. Jim loved road trips so they did considerable driving on the west coast and yearly trips to Minnesota to visit friends and relatives.

JoAnna is survived by her husband James “Jim” Brink, and his family; daughter Jeralyn [Chris] Thelen; brothers Roger, Joe, Barry, and sister Jan. JoAnna was preceded in death by her son Larry Fuller.

Jim often told JoAnna that he knew she was an angel sent by the Lord to straighten him out and for the most part she did just that. She has now been called by the Lord for another assignment.

She is loved by many and will be greatly missed here on earth.

A celebration of life service will be held on Saturday, May 23, 11:00 am, at Green Acres Mortuary, Scottsdale.

GreenAcresMortuary.net