Joanne Espe-Lillo

Joanne Espe-Lillo, of Woodbury, MN, passed away peacefully on June 11, 2024, at the age of 83. Joanne lived a life filled with love and kindness, touching the hearts of everyone she met. Joanne was a dedicated pediatric nurse, and her passion for helping others was evident in her work and the many summers she spent volunteering as a nurse at Camp Oz and Camp Ihduhapi. She loved to cook and enjoyed all forms of art, from collecting pottery and paintings, to music, from playing clarinet in her high school band to singing in the church choir. 

Joanne was preceded in death by her parents, Harlan and Azile Espe, and her brother Paul.  She is survived by her husband Obert Lillo, children Stephen Madsen, Marna Gettleman (Jonathan), Sara Madsen Miller (Korey) and step-daughters Jennifer Lillo and Stephanie Lillo, brother Charles Espe (Kathy) and sister Marilyn Sherwindt (Mark). Also surviving are her beloved grandchildren Berit, Frankie, Max and Elliot. We invite family and friends to join us in celebrating her life at King of Kings Lutheran Church, 1583 Radio Dr, Woodbury, MN on September 7, 2024. The visitation will start at 10:00 am. The service will begin at 11:00 am, followed by lunch. In lieu of flowers, donations can be made to the King of Kings Organ Fund or the Minnesota-North Dakota Chapter of the Alzheimer’s Association in her honor. Her legacy of love and compassion will live on through all who knew her.