Joanne Karen McGarraugh, 66

Joanne Karen McGarraugh, 66, of Bigfork died Friday, July 24, 2009, at her home, after a long battle with cancer.

Joanne was born May 20, 1943, in Glasgow, to (the now late) Edward and Addie Johnson. She attended St. Raphael School through junior high, and graduated from Glasgow High School (where she enjoyed her position as a cheerleader) in 1961. She continued her education at Central Business College in Denver.

After working at Martin Marietta Corporation in Denver, Joanne subsequently found herself in Florida, North Dakota and California before settling down in Great Falls in 1964, where she worked for several years for Norwest Bank. In 1971 she began her career with the U.S. Treasury Department where she served as secretary for the chief of services at Malmstrom Air Force Base.

Joanne and Pat McGarraugh, an officer of Norwest Bank, were married in Great Falls on Feb. 10, 1972, where the couple continued to live for the next several years. While continuing to work, Joanne was active in the Junior League. In the mid-70s she transferred to U.S. Customs Service, where she later retired as chief import specialist.

In 1985, Pat was named president of Norwest Bank in Ottumwa, Iowa, and the couple moved. Always wanting to stay active, Joanne worked as a legal secretary along with serving on the YMCA Board and South East Iowa Symphony Board and volunteering for Iowa State Social Services.

The year 1991 saw Pat assuming the presidency of the bank in Oconto Falls, Wis. When Pat retired from Norwest in 1995, the couple returned to Great Falls, and after three years, moved to Bigfork where Joanne was able to continue her interest in plants, gardening and needlework. Pat and Joanne both loved hunting, fishing, skiing and travel, and their retirement years have seen them share some wonderful experiences. They particularly liked to take off in the spring in their motor home with Chazer cat in tow. Joanne loved to shop for things from all over the Southwest to decorate her courtyard. Joanne has also maintained close contact with her wide circle of friends and valued her weekly "coffee group."

Joanne was diagnosed with cancer in 2005 and has fought the disease with quiet dignity and great determination for the past three years. During that time she has remained upbeat and able to continue, to a great extent, her active lifestyle.

The fifth of eight children, Joanne comes from a large family, and has maintained close contact with her two surviving brothers and four sisters. The group has frequent reunions and was fortunately able to get together in Bigfork just a few days ago.

Joanne is survived by her loving husband of 37 years, Pat McGarraugh; and stepdaughter, Susan Pacheco, and her husband, Kanoa, and their children, Martin and Michael. Joanne will also be greatly missed by her four sisters, Rita Olds and her husband, Bill, of Cascade, Sharon Mowbray and her husband, Steve, of Denver, Gail Langen and her husband, John, of Las Vegas, and Kim Stroumbos and her husband, Duff, also from Denver; as well as brothers, Duane Johnson and his wife, Kathy, of Houston, and Tom Johnson and his wife, Colleen, of Bozeman. Joanne is also survived by a great many nieces and nephews.

A memorial service will be held at 10 a.m. Aug. 3, at Pope John Paul II Catholic Church, in Bigfork.

The family suggest donations be made to the American Cancer Society, 3550 Mullan Road, Suite 105, Missoula, MT 59808; or Sletten Cancer Center, 1117 29th St. S., Great Falls, MT 59405-5306.

Johnson-Gloschat Funeral Home is caring for Joanne's family. You are invited to go to www.jgfuneralhome.com to offer condolences and sign Joanne's guest book.