JoAnn Kay Nygren

Born January 26, 1944 in Billings, Montana at St Vincent’s Hospital to Nick M. and Viola Wolfe. She spent her childhood on the family farm in Belfry, Montana, along with her brother Tom Wolfe. As a child, her grandfather lovingly nicknamed her “Taffy” due to her wavy blonde hair. She graduated from Belfry School in 1962 and immediately moved to Billings, MT. There, JoAnn worked for Transamerica Life Insurance Company. During this time she met the love of her life Loren Nygren and the two married in 1963. Following their marriage, Loren and JoAnn moved to Fresno, California for work and JoAnn became a receptionist at the front desk of “KFRE” television station. After about a year in California, it was time for the couple to move back home to Montana. They spent a few years zestfully enjoying young married life and during this time the Nygren’s bought and ran a local record store called “Broadway Record Shop” in Billings. JoAnn also worked at Continental Pipeline as a receptionist. After of few years of married life, JoAnn and Loren were expecting their first child, a baby girl who was born in 1966. A few years later their family grew again with the birth of their son in 1971. In the mid-seventies JoAnn started working as a Realtor for Century 21 (later the company became The Oakland Company.) The years that followed were full of family, food and wonderful memories. JoAnn spent several years as the “cool” Girl Scout troop leader and was at all the motocross events her son raced in. They all spent a lot of time at the family farm in Belfry enjoying time as a family with JoAnn’s parents.

After raising their children, Shauna and Jason, JoAnn and Loren decided to follow their children to Washington State and set up home there in 1990. Here JoAnn worked at Precision Air Motive and retired from Wizard International, while her husband worked at various maintenance positions and the local YMCA. Life was good, there were grandchildren to enjoy and Saturday’s at the Evergreen Speedway, Ferry rides on the Sound, and many wonderful family meals together. JoAnn was loving, kind and gracious. She enjoyed laughing with her family, so much so her great-granddaughter named her “Gma HeeHee”. She was always there with a warm smile and infectious laugh.

JoAnn passed peacefully after fighting a courageous battle. She went home to be with her parents November 9, 2016 surrounded by her loving family, friends and her love of 54 years, Loren.

She is predeceased by her parents and numerous extended family members in Montana, California and various other states. She leaves to mourn her husband Loren, her children Shauna Gunn (Brett) and Jason Nygren (Tammy), grandchildren; Brianna Brunson, Tara Jensen (fiancé Parker Lowrie) , Stephanie Penning- Hubbard (Josh), Madyson Gunn (fiancé Jamael Kibby), Allison Gunn and Teri Nygren-Villa (Juan), great-grandchildren; Naya Brunson-Robles, Karson and Milo Hubbard and Alonzo Villa. Her brother Tom Wolfe (Judy), niece Serie Wolfe and nephew Ryan Wolfe (Sara), her sister-in-law Sandra Thompson and nephews Scott Thomas and Bruce Thomas, as well as many extended family members and friends.

A Celebration of her life will be held Saturday, December 3rd, 11:00 AM at Evergreen Funeral Home 4504 Broadway, Everett, Washington 98203. The final resting place of her urn will be in the Belfry Cemetery in Montana in May 2017. In lieu of flowers, please consider making a donation to the local “PAWS” Shelter or to the Susan G. Komen Foundation.

Arrangements under the direction of Evergreen Funeral Home, Everett, WA.