Joanne E. Vretstrom

Joanne E. Vretstrom, age 65, of Hastings, died on Friday, December 30, 2016 at United Hospital in St. Paul. Joanne Vretstrom, the daughter of Harvey and Bernice (Lucking) Swoboda, was born on July 1, 1951 in St. Paul, Minnesota. She was a graduate of Rosemount High School class of 1969. On June 24, 1972, she was united in marriage to Richard "Dick" Vretstrom at St. Agathas Catholic Church in Coates. Joanne worked many years with her husband at "The Chateau" restaurant in Pine Bend, Minnesota. She then was employed for many years at Smead Manufacturing in Hastings. Later on in life Joanne then worked as a switchboard operator at Regina Hospital. She loved animals her whole life. Joanne enjoyed taking photos of cardinals and bird watching. She was preceded in death by her parents and sister Jane Swoboda. Joanne is survived by her husband Dick of Hastings; sister Judith (Don) Peterson of Pine City; brother-in-law Ken Sterba of San Ramon, California; nieces and nephews Scott, Jenny and Aaron (Tracy) Peterson, Megen and Nicole Sterba; great nieces and nephews Gavin Hecht, Grace and Hunter Peterson. Memorials to the Animal Ark or St. Elizabeth Ann Seton Catholic Church. Private family services to be held at a later date.