JoAnn Montbriand

JoAnn Caryl Montbriand

JoAnn Montbriand, of Naples, Florida, died peacefully with her family at her side, on December 18, 2024 at her daughter's home in White Bear Lake, Minnesota at the age of 90. She was born on June 23rd, 1934, to Fred and Neva Knaeble in Bemidji, Minnesota. She married Robert Montbriand in 1954 and moved with him to Littlefork, Minnesota as a Northern Pacific RR telegrapher and depot agent. There they had two children, Renee and Joel. They all had a hardscrabble backcountry life, living in a small apartment at the back of the railroad depot, that was a "perk" of the job. On what free time they had they picked berries and hunted game to supplement the family table and enjoyed the friendship and comradery of local friends in this small rural northern Minnesota town.

JoAnn, Bob, and children moved on via his promotions to stints in Fargo, North Dakota, Detroit, Michigan, White Bear Lake, Minnesota, and Fort Worth, Texas, with the railroad. JoAnn was an energetic, supportive, resourceful and loving wife and mother. She was a source of encouragement and financial support for the family. She had part-time jobs in bookkeeping to help with household expenses and was often the sole parent at home raising the kids when Bob was away for prolonged periods to fulfill the requirements of his job. Her devotion and support to Bob helped him to be very successful in his career, with him eventually attaining the title of Asst Vice President of Intermodal Pricing at the Burlington Northern. JoAnn instilled in her children a strong work ethic, a moral code, and a religious upbringing. She encouraged them to do their best in school and obtain a college education (the first in their extended families). JoAnn was always inquisitive and adventurous, exploring the surroundings and culture of every new community that the family moved to, developing life-long friendships. She and Bob retired to Naples, Florida in 1990, spending their winters there and summering at their lake home near Bemidji, Minnesota.

Throughout JoAnn's life she was very close to her sisters and their families, often visiting and vacationing with them and all being a constant source of support and friendship to each other. Later in JoAnn and Bob's life, her sisters and their families, as well as her daughter Renee and son-in-law Michael, helped tirelessly to enable both JoAnn and Bob to continue to live independently as they reached advanced age.

JoAnn is survived by her children Renee Jensen (Michael Sr.) of White Bear Lake, Minnesota and Joel Montbriand, MD (Susan Goodnature) of Boulder, Colorado, six grandchildren, nine great-grandchildren, sisters Mary Prince (Shawn Grimsley), and Jeanie Trudeau (Dan). She was preceded in death by her beloved husband Robert Montbriand in 2018 at age 88, sister Lois Bunker, brother Dale Eskelson, parents Neva and Fred Knaeble, and granddaughter Tiffany Jensen.

Joann was a wonderful mother, wife, and friend to others. She and Bob were an undefeatable team. To quote Jane Austen in Persuasion; "There could have been no two hearts so open, no tastes so similar, no feelings so in unison, no countenances so beloved." Joann is now reunited with her beloved.

In lieu of flowers, please send donations to a charity of your choice, online condolences may be left below on our online guestbook. A memorial will be scheduled in the spring in Bemidji, Minnesota. Details will be posted on Mueller Memorial website when plans are confirmed