Joan “Jo” Vee Anderson

Joan “Jo” Vee Anderson, 82, of Wasilla, passed peacefully late Sept. 10, 2014, in Anchorage surrounded by family.

A celebration of life is from 1 to 3 p.m., Sept. 20 at the Northshore Ale House (formerly Mat-Su Resort) 1850 E. Bogard Rd., Wasilla.

Born Feb. 25, 1932, in Portland, Oregon, Jo and her family moved to Alaska when she was 7 via a steamship, settling in Kodiak where her mother ran a boarding house. Shortly after, the family moved to Anchorage where her parents opened Vee’s Grocery in Mountain View. Jo worked there as a checker during her teen years.

She left Alaska for two years to attend Pacific University in Forest Grove, Oregon. Upon returning to Alaska, Jo worked as a retail checker for Piggly Wiggly, Bi Lo, and Carr’s for 33 years.

Jo worked for the Pioneer’s Home for five years as a activities therapist, where she started the garden club while her dad was a resident there. The club donated their vegetables to the Bean’s Café. Jo also wrote social histories on the residents that were published in The Mukluk.

She married Larry Anderson in 1956 and gave birth to her daughter Kim.

Jo was described as “an amazing dancer” of every style of dance from the Jitterbug to the Texas two-step! She loved rock hunting for agates and fossils, hunting with her father, fishing and flying with Bob, her brother, and singing with her mom.

Her favorite place was her cabin on Nancy Lake where she spent much time with her family. Jo married Dale Hillmer in 1992 and resided with him until June in their home on Cottonwood Creek in Wasilla. Jo remained an avid gardener until her last years as she brought the beauty of flowers to her home.

Jo is survived by her daughter Kim Casey and partner, Carrie Melville; grandsons Erik, Jared, and Tyler Carlson; four great grandsons and two great granddaughters; and stepchildren Teresa Fletcher, Doris, Mike, Clint and Melissa Hillmer. She was preceded in death by her brother, Robert (Bob) Norene, and husband Dale Hillmer.

Arrangements were with Janssen Funeral Homes.