Joanne Marie (Eckstrom) Pritchett, 89, of Saginaw, Minnesota passed away peacefully on October 21, 2026 at Edgewood Vista Memory Care in Hermantown, Minnesota. She was born March 15, 1937 to Ernest and Olga (Wivestad) Eckstrom. She grew up in the Hermantown area and attended Hermantown High School. Joanne married Leonard Pritchett on May 24, 1958. They lived on the Munger Shaw Road in Saginaw, Minnesota in a close-knit neighborhood. Together they celebrated 63 years of marriage before Leonard passed away in 2021.
Joanne started out working as a nurses aide at St. Luke’s Hospital and in the want-ad department for the Duluth News Tribune known as “Miss White.” She then became a homemaker and later worked at Target and the Miller Hill Mall.
Joanne enjoyed crocheting (especially baby afghans), playing all sorts of board and card games, gardening, canning preserves of fruit and vegetables, ceramics, sewing and all kinds of crafts. She was known for her delicious potato and pasta salads, cookies, cinnamon rolls and cashew brittle. She was on several leagues such as cribbage, bowling, horseshoes and a member of the “Friday the 13th” club. She played the accordion, loved dancing to old time polka music at dance halls around the area and listening classic country music.
Joanne was preceded in death by her husband, parents, brother Kenneth Eckstrom and sister Phyllis Privette.
Joanne is survived by daughters Pam (Mike) Ryan of Longmont, Colorado, Cindy (Kevin) Donley of Duluth, son Eric of Hermantown, Minnesota; grandchildren, Adam (Jennifer), Andrew (Kelsey), Alec (Lindsey) Ryan, Tara (Ryan) Donley, Sean and Jasmin Donley; great-grandchildren Madelyn, Kayleigh, Ivry, Everest, Brooke, Weston, Jace, William, Jade and Sonya.
Visitation will be at 10:00 am on Thursday, November 12, 2026 at Bethlehem Lutheran Church, 6537 Industrial Road, Twig, Minnesota with the memorial service following at 11 am.
The family wishes to thank everyone for all their thoughts and prayers.
2 Responses
I was so sad to get the news. My thoughts and prayers go out to Joanne’s daughters, son and their families
There were 8 cousins on the Ekstrom/Eckstrom side. I am so sad to say I am the last cousin. We spent a lot time together growing up and made a lot of memories. On my trips to Duluth every summer we cousins would always meet for lunch. I miss those lunches and the many cards and notes we sent throughout the year. Rest in peace dear cousin Joanne. You are missed!
Auntie JoAnne,
You know you were my favorite
Auntie! I will always remember the fun times we all had. I love you, and give the “guys” up there
hell! You know you can beat them in cards!!! I will miss you , love Kathy