Marilyn "Joanne" Montgomery, age 75, of Mankato, died Tuesday, October 1, 2013, at her residence.
A Memorial Visitation will be held 2-4 p.m. on November 2, 2013, at the St. Peter Funeral Home. In lieu of flowers, memorials may be given to the American Cancer Society.
Joanne was born on December 14, 1937, in Minneapolis to Herman and Ethel (Rod) Broten. She was a graduate of St. Peter High School. Joanne was employed with the Sunnyside Greenhouse in St. Peter. She enjoyed decorating, fishing, flowers, cooking, baking, and poetry.
Joanne is survived by her daughter, Carol (Earl) Sherman of Apex, NC; four sons, James (Lindy) Bittner of Eagle, CO, Thomas (Patty) Bittner of St. Peter, Steve (Cheryl) Bittner of Ivanhoe, and Charlie Bittner and his fianc"e, Amy Mead of Mankato; fifteen grandchildren and fourteen great-grandchildren; mother, Ethel Galles of St. Paul; sister, Gloria Stevenson and her special friend, Art Ludwig of Plymouth; two uncles, Clifford (Betty) Rod of Cambridge and Marvin Rod of St. Paul; special friend, Bob Brooks of Mankato; also many nieces, nephews, cousins, and friends.
She was preceded in death by her father, Herman; two husbands, Benjamin Bittner and Lowell Montgomery; and a brother, Leon Broten.