Date of Birth:
Monday, February 9, 1931
Date of Death:
Saturday, May 18, 2024
Age:
93 years old

Joanne Berry

Joanne Dorothy Berry, 93, passed away at the Mayo Clinic Care Center in Lake City, MN, on Saturday, May 18th, 2024. She was born on February 9, 1931, to parents Dorothy and Joseph Hennessey. Joanne married James Robert Enderson in 1949. They were blessed with five children and raised them in the booming city of Rochester, Minnesota. She and Jim owned and managed Massey’s Shoe department in Rochester for over 25 years. Joanne was well known and loved by those who shopped at Massey’s. Joanne devoted much of her time to giving back to her community. She was a member of the Mazeppa Saint Peter & Paul Catholic Church. She volunteered with Dorothy Day, Meals on Wheels, Quarry Hill Nature Center, and sang with the Young at Heart Choir, which met weekly to perform at nursing homes, senior housing, and assisted living facilities around Rochester. Jim Enderson preceded Joanne in death in 1985.

Joanne loved the thrill of living and had a special joy in beating the “boys” at everything, whether that was racing her snowmobile or taking the biggest kill when out on a hunt. She met Glenn Berry, who shared Joanne’s thrill for life and dancing. They married on May 14, 1988. Together they were members of the Zumbro Valley Snowmobile’s Association and enjoyed seeing Minnesota’s trails on the back of their snowmobiles. They had a passion for the outdoors and loved their home in the woods, affectionately known by their grandchildren as “the treehouse.” Family gatherings at the treehouse were special times. Many wonderful memories have been made in that house over the years, giving the time spent there amongst family an almost mythical quality. Joanne loved watching the birds that frequented her many bird feeders on the treehouse’s big cedar deck and enjoyed sharing her knowledge and stories of bow hunting and fishing with her grandchildren. She took extra care to remember and celebrate each grandchild’s birthday. Joanne made each family gathering and holiday special. Her grandkids recall running between the hot tub and sauna after a long day of snowmobiling on Christmases, zipping around the ATV trails in Grandma and Grandpa’s woods, and enjoying foosball, basketball, and board games with the familiar background sounds of Grandma’s wood chimes and grandfather clock. The smell of a wood stove will always remind those blessed to grow up visiting Grandma and Grandpa of the love and joy that they poured into their family.

She is survived by her husband Glenn, siblings Richard (Gloria) Hennesey, Joseph (Carol) Hennessey, Rita (Roger) Suess, daughter Sandy (Brent) Doring, son Steve (Claudia) Enderson, daughter Jackie (Gene) Dordal, daughter Cynthia (Greg) Perry, son Clark (Tracy) Berry, son Bradley Joe (Robin) Berry, daughter Christine DeLima, 29 grandchildren, 47 great grandchildren and one great, great grandchild.

She is preceded in death by her parents Dorothy and Joe Hennessey, first husband Jim Enderson, brother Donald Hennessey, and daughters Jan Hinck and Joni Condron.

The family wishes to acknowledge the staff at MCHS Care Center, Lake City, MN for the outstanding care given during Joanne’s last months of life.

A Memorial service will take place at 12:00 pm on Wednesday, May 29, 2024 in the River Park Chapel at Macken Funeral Home, 1105 12th St SE, Rochester, MN 55904. A visitation will be held one hour prior to the service.

Online condolences are welcome at www.mackenfuneralhome.com