Joanne F. Horak, 72, of Dutton, MT passed to heaven on December 14, 2014 in Great Falls. A Rosary will be held at Our Lady of Lourdes Catholic Parish on Friday, December 19th at 6:30pm. The Funeral Mass celebrating her life will be held on Saturday, December 20th at 10:00am at the church. Burial will follow at Mount Olivet Cemetery. Croxford Funeral Home is handling the arrangements.

Joanne was born in Great Falls to Lawn E. & Pearl L. Watson. Her father ranched east of Great Falls in the Highwood area. She and her siblings worked hard helping their parents, doing all sorts of farm jobs from picking rock to being part of the harvest crew. Her dream in those early days was to learn how to skin a cat. She shared with her father a love for Caterpillar.

Joanne attended elementary school in Great Falls, graduating from Our Lady of Lourdes School. After the ranch was sold, the family moved to California, where she graduated from Charter Oak High school in Corvina, CA. She later attended the University of Great Falls. Joanne loved learning, particularly in the area of biblical archaeology and British history of the royal families. Along with magazines and scientific journals on these topics, she also enjoyed long movies (mini-series) related to them. She dreamed of visiting those places, but time and family would not allow it.

From her earliest days she had to be Mother to many, from her younger brother to children of friends and associates. Anyone who knew her would attest to the love and nurturing she bestowed on the little ones. Her love extended beyond humans to her horses and the many dogs she rescued from the grim reaper. She always said she was the best mother she knew how to be, forever learning, striving to be better.

She married Charles Horak in 1978, and was pleased to be back to her former love, the ranch. She loved the land, the prairie, the blue sky, the seasons; was more at peace here than any time in her life. Her Montana roots were deep, the only place she ever wanted to live. Joanne saw God’s work in all of this, and even in her second love – John Deere machinery. She treated the tractors, trucks, pickups, etc. as living beings, even giving them names (an old family tradition). “Always treat them well”, she said, “and they will take care of you.”

Joanne is survived by her husband, Charles; her brother, Thomas Watson; son, Matthew; daughters, Sue Snell, Alice Steiner, Jennifer Van Heel and Savannah Horak; nine grandchildren; and many nieces, nephews and cousins.

She was preceded in death by her parents; brothers, Miner, Clem and Carlyle Jurgens; and her sisters, Rose Hubany and Betty Everett.

The family wished to thank the 5th Floor Staff at Benefis Hospital for their loving and sincere support. Memorials are welcome to any benefit of the donor’s choice.

 Service Information