Joanna Wade was no normal woman.

She was a firecracker, always full of love and laughter. She was goofy and random. She was a Christian who loved to sing to the tops of the mountains worshipping Jesus, but she couldn't pass up a good country or rock song. She beat on the steering wheel like a professional drummer and stuck her tongue out at people who giggled. She had an infectious laugh and a heart as big as the ocean. Everyone was her friend and she loved without conditions. She was an adventurer and spontaneous. She was a recovering hippie, a gypsy soul, a traveler, and a wanderer.

She was a giver. She was an empath to a depth I've never known in any other person. She toted around undying forgiveness. She gave more chances than a universe could hold. She endured unbelievable pain, abuse, and heartbreak for most of her life, but she was strong and was a fighter to the very end, never backing down from a challenge.

She finally married her best friend and moved away to Minnesota, but she always made sure to come home to Tennessee to visit. She was a daughter, a sister, an aunt, and a Momma. She became a Nan to 10 grandchildren and a multitude of adopted children and other grandchildren. She raised a garden, tended to her ducks and cats, harvested beets, and served in restaurants and gas stations. She loved Vodka and OJ or Hawaiian Punch. She was a great cook and could eat her weight in Chinese food. She loved roses, peonies, and sunflowers. She loved Grimm and Supernatural and was a devout Harry Potter fan. She had more car trouble than any person in the world. She finally embraced her fear of flying and swore she'd never do it again. She danced and sang openly, holding nothing back. She never really grew up…always a kid at heart and she made herself fit in wherever she was. She loved Big Daddy Weave and The Crabb Family. She loved taking pictures and making memories. She never forgot a person and rarely forgot their names. She ate raw hamburger and uncooked potatoes. She threw spaghetti noodles on the wall to see if they were done. She had food fights in public and didn't care who watched. She had horrible feet but loved pedicures. She had a crooked finger that she broke playing softball that she would curve and point at you with. She loved the water and and reveled at the ocean. She was a light in a dark room and a life worth remembering for who she was.

I pray none of you ever forget my Momma, for her physical body was not indicative of the person she was nor the spirit that lived within her.

Jessica Dyer, Christy Poe, Karin Alley, Josh Mason, and Robert Wade all appreciate every prayer and condolence that has been sent. Our world has been flipped upside down as we try to navigate such a great loss. We are all grateful that Momma will never know another second of pain but we are lost without her.

To all of Mom's close family and friends, thank you for loving her and choosing her. I know there are many out there today with a memory of her and we would love it if you shared them with us.

Memorial Service: 4:30 PM, Friday, June 30, 2023 at the Warren Assembly of God, 623 N. Main St., Warren, MN.

Visitation:  One Hour Prior Memorial Service in the Warren Assembly of God.