JoAnn "Josie" Grenier

GRENIER, JoAnn "Josie" God looked around his garden and found a special place. He then looked down and saw your loving face. He saw your path was difficult and so he closed your weary eyes. He whispered to your heart "Lie down and sleep in peace, my child." It broke our hearts to lose you, mom, but you did not go alone. For part of us went with you on the day God gave you wings to fly and took you to your new home. On September 3, 2011, Josie quietly went to be with her beloved husband, Don, and mother, Hannah. The youngest of eight children, she was born in Omaha, Nebraska on July 7, 1935 to Ralph and Hannah Pflug. Married at 19 and a single mom for over a decade, Josie was a woman of quiet humility- never admitting how anguishing difficult things were or complaining about the challenges life threw her way. Truth be told, most of the people in her life, including her children, never knew the magnitude of the sacrifices she made. She was a devoted and loving daughter to both of her parents, but especially to Hannah, the mother she adored. ( Our apologies to Josie's family for the typographical error in the following sentence that ran on Sunday, September 11th. The sentence was intended to read as follows.)  In Hannah's last years, Josie was unwavering in her daily compassion and unselfish in her care giving to her mom- a legacy her family will do their best to continue in her honor. Very unexpectedly, "Donjo", the love of her life, danced into Josie's heart and on February 17, 1972 they were married. Neither of their lives were ever the same as they "honeymooned" together for the next 36 years. They shared the joy of gambling and bingo with their friends as well as the highs and lows of rooting for the Gonzaga Bulldogs and Seattle Mariners. Fortunately for Don, Josie never shared his passion for golf. And just as fortunate, she never shared his passion for cooking, except at holidays when they stood side by side making traditional meals for the family. Together they adored their children as well as the blessed grandchildren who would come into their lives. Children: Renee Podell, Greg Grenier, Mike Grenier, Rhonda Schwagers, Pam Barker and Janet Martin. Grandchildren: Don Grenier, Jessica Brown, Maria Podell, Zack Grenier, Daniell Noah, John Noah, Theresa Noah, Rachel Noah, Christy Noah and Kenton Barker. Josie was a rare woman in her generation having been a business woman for over 50 years. She worked for The Girl Scouts, Carnation Company and Jolly Roger. Often, she had multiple jobs such as working at Hallmark wrapping gifts to provide a stable income for her children. Her longest tenured professional positions were with Power City Construction and WICO. She was a gifted and talented woman with unique perseverance. Josie met each of life's and work responsibilities with quiet dignity- commanding respect without ever demanding it. Teaching by example and with integrity. Our family's deep appreciation to Shelly, Josie's tender hearted and dedicated caregiver for the past three years. We know she came to regard you as "her daughter" and we are honored to have you as part of our family. Additionally, on behalf of Pam and Jan, we wish to honor and thank Kim Berg at Riplinger Funeral Home. Your calm and reassuring words and deeds were far beyond what we could have ever anticipated and provided comfort and peace in saying goodbye to our parents. A private family memorial was held for Josie at Holy Cross Cemetery on Friday, September 9th. With the blessing of her Pflug family, a reunion is being held and Josie's life will be celebrated along with the life of her sister, Sylvia and brother, Charles, in the summer of 2012 in Omaha, Nebraska. A future announcement will be forthcoming once arrangements for that service have been made. Memorial contributions can be made to Spokane's Salvation Army and RIPLINGER FUNERAL HOME.