JO ANN KOCHIE

June 15, 1953 - October 12, 2019

Jo Ann Kochie (JoJo), 66 years of age, passed away peacefully surrounded by her loving family on Saturday, October 12, 2019 at her home in Hokah, MN.  JoAnn was born June 15, 1953 in La Crosse, WI to Ralph and Betty Senn. Growing up in Hokah, she was the third oldest of six girls. JoAnn went to grade school at St. Peter’s Catholic School in Hokah, and then graduated from Hokah/La Crescent High School in 1971.  After high school, she attended the St. Mary’s School of Practical Nursing in Rochester, MN where she then worked at St. Mary’s hospital and met her future husband, Jim Kochie. Jim and Jo Ann got married in April of 1975. In their first 6 years of marriage, Jim and JoAnn moved around for work and school, eventually making their way back to Hokah where they raised their three children. Throughout most of her adult life, Jo Ann spent her time surrounded by children.  Around 1983 she opened her in-home daycare and stayed open right up to her diagnosis of lung cancer in 2016.  For 33 years, JoJo has helped raise and nurture countless daycare kids.   Jo Ann was an active member of the community as a 4-H and Girl-Scout leader, city council member and unofficial counselor to anyone looking for advice, a suggestion, or just a kind ear to listen.  Jo Ann was also an active volunteer within her church. She taught confirmation and marriage classes for several years. Jo Ann was a quilter, bowler and a card player.  She rarely missed a Monday burger night with family and friends at Main Street Saloon.  Since the early 90’s she was the holiday hostess for the family’s Thanksgiving, Christmas and Easter celebrations.  The house wasn’t that big, but the more she could pack in, the better. All were welcome. Jo Ann spent her life helping others whether it was a member of her own family, a friend, or one of her daycare families. Through this giving of herself, Jo Ann has touched so many lives and will forever be missed and will never be forgotten. “To know her was to love her.” Jo Ann leaves her loving memory to be cherished by her husband Jim, children, Jon (Shannon) Kochie, Adriane (Mike) Fisher, and daughter-in-law Kristy Kochie; 5 grandchildren, Harper, Cooper, and Connor Kochie, Mikah and Aiden Fisher;  sisters Pat (Dan) VonArx, Peg (Smoky) Johnson, Barb Rohrer and Geri (Doug) Patschull, brother-in-law Michael Otto, her aunts Margaret McCauley and Ardelle Schaffer, uncles Bill Senn and Jack Senn, and a host of nieces, nephews, cousins, and friends. She was preceded in death by her son Nathan, parents, and sister Connie.  In lieu of flowers, memorials can be sent to St. Peter’s Church or School.  A Mass of Christian Burial will be at 11 am on Friday, October 18, at St. Peter's Catholic Church, Hokah. A rosary will be said at 3:30 pm Thursday at the church, and visitation will be from 4 to 7 pm following the rosary. Visitation will also be from 10-11am Friday morning before the service. Burial will be in Calvary Cemetery, Hokah.