Joanne Marie (McGonigal) Showalter

Joanne was preceded in death by her father, Thomas Joseph McGonigal, mother, Marie Ellen (Maher) McGonigal, brother, William Michael McGonigal, ex-husband, John W. Showalter, son, Joseph Leo Showalter, and nephew, Kevin Carter McGonigal. Joanne is survived by her son, John Joseph (Nancy) Showalter, daughter-in-law, Jodie Showalter, grandsons, James Showalter, Jason (Kelsey) Showalter, Michael Showalter, and many more relatives and friends.

Joanne grew up in Bayport, Minnesota, graduated from Stillwater High School, and attended the University of Minnesota. She was one of the first women to march with the University of Minnesota Marching Band.

Joanne married John W. Showalter in 1959. They raised their two sons in St. Paul. Joanne was active in the PTA at her sons’ schools. Joanne became involved with other concerned Eastside residents in stopping the planned Hwy 61 route through the East side of St. Paul. They were successful in stopping Hwy 61 at 3rd street and it never completed its planned route. The work of these concerned citizens led to the City of St. Paul creating a district council structure that funnels changes and impacts to local citizen organizations in each neighborhood. Joanne was the first secretary of the Dayton's Bluff Community Council.

Joanne and her husband John W. Showalter, a cosmetologist, owned a beauty salon in downtown St. Paul for many years.

Joanne became active in politics. In 1972, she began working for the Minnesota House of Representatives in the steno pool. She worked on a Mag typewriter that was a precursor of modern PCs.

Starting in 1976, Joanne served as the legislative aide to City Councilman Patrick Roedler. When Councilman Roedler chose to retire, Joanne ran for and won a seat on the St. Paul City Council in June of 1978. Joanne was the 4th woman ever elected to the St. Paul City Council. She served as the Council President in 1979 and 1980. Joanne served on the City Council until June of 1982. During her time in service to the City of St. Paul, Joanne championed many initiatives: District Heating (now called District Energy), Cable Television, Civic Center (now the Xcel Center), and many affordable housing initiatives. Joanne served on many boards and commissions. Two initiatives Joanne worked on (Unified Trash Hauling and Light Rail) were adopted and implemented decades after her early sponsorship and support. Many of her friends and acquaintances talked about how she mentored and helped them in their careers over the years.

After leaving the City Council, Joanne purchased a bar in Wilson, WI. She enjoyed serving her customers for 37 years, until retiring at the age of 87. In her time in Wilson, Joanne served on the City Council and as Mayor of Wilson. She was also the Secretary of the Tavern League in her county for many years. Joanne's bar hosted softball tournaments, broomstick pool tournaments, dart league teams, pool league teams, softball league teams, bands, and many other community events. She even sponsored Wilson Days for several years.

Joanne loved flea markets and going to garage sales. She was always looking for antiques. She enjoyed reading, movies, going to Lake Ida, trips with friends to Turtle Lake, and a Mediterranean omelet or grilled cheese and a malt. Joanne enjoyed reading so much she offered books, magazines, and newspapers to anyone at her bar who needed something to read.

Since 2019, Joanne lived at White Pines Senior Assisted Living in Cottage Grove.

Family and friends are welcome for visitation Tuesday, February 28 from 5:00 pm to 8:00 pm, with a time of memory sharing at 7:00 pm, at Wulff Funeral Home, 2195 Woodlane Drive, Woodbury, MN. A Mass of Christian Burial will be held at 11:00 am, Wednesday, March 1 at Transfiguration Catholic Church, 6133 15th St. N., Oakdale, MN, with a visitation one hour prior to mass. Interment will be at St. Michael's Cemetery in Bayport, MN.