Joanne Raymond, 84

Joanne Raymond was born Joanne Helen Leisen on April 14, 1931, in St. Cloud, Minn., to Vincent and Helen (Zapp) Leisen. She attended Catholic schools in St. Cloud and graduated from Cathedral High School in 1949. She went on to St. Cloud State University and graduated in 1953 with a B.S. in elementary education.

On June 11, 1955, Joanne married Richard "Dick" Raymond in St. Cloud. They moved to Glenwood, Minn., and eventually to Shelby and Libby, Mont.

In 1966, Joanne and Dick moved to Coeur d'Alene. For many years she operated a private pre-school (Happy Day Pre School).

Joanne loved kids, sewing, knitting, needlepoint, crocheting, and pine needle weaving. She sewed nearly 300 children's quilts for the Linus Program.

Joanne was preceded in death by her daughter, Barbara Raymond; parents Vincent and Helen Leisen; and siblings Vincent Jr., and Helen "Susie" Leisen.

She is survived by her husband, Richard M. Raymond; sons Richard J., Michael, and Thomas; granddaughters Holly Raymond and Keanie Raymond-Bedwell; siblings Mary of Arizona, John and Arlene Leisen, and Gretchen Leisen of St. Cloud, Minn., and many nieces, nephews and cousins.

Vigil service will be at 7 p.m. on Tuesday, May 12, at the English Funeral Chapel, 1133 N. Fourth St., Coeur d'Alene. Funeral Mass will be at 10 a.m. on Wednesday, May 13, at St. Thomas Catholic Church, 919 E. Indiana Ave., Coeur d'Alene. Burial will follow the service at St. Thomas Catholic Cemetery in Coeur d'Alene.

Please visit Joanne's memorial and sign her online guestbook at www.englishfuneralchapel.com.