Joan M. Gallagher, affectionately known as “Jowan,” passed away on Good Friday, April 3rd, at the age of 93. Born on October 23, 1932, in St. Paul, Jowan grew up in the Ames Place/White Bear Avenue area and was a proud 1950 graduate of Harding High School. Following her marriage to John “Hoot” Bernard Gallagher, the couple settled in Inver Grove Heights, where they became lifelong pillars of St. Patrick’s Catholic Church and raised their seven children.
Music was the heartbeat of Jowan’s life. She began singing in her church’s junior choir at age 14 and lent her voice to at least one choir for nearly seven decades, finally retiring her hymnal at age 83. Beyond her music, she was the epitome of a selfless mother. Whether it was a school concert, a play, or a sporting event, Jowan was always in the stands—often the loudest one there, cheering or ringing a cowbell even as her youngest children played softball well into their 30s.
Jowan possessed a fabulously sarcastic, self-deprecating wit that made her a favorite among her grandchildren, and the friends of her children. She loved teaching her kids/grandkids the finer points of poker (usually before they were ten) and taking trips to Como Zoo to see the gorillas. When she wasn’t being a “Super Mom,” she found her escape in Saturday night poker games with her siblings at a smoke-filled kitchen table. She also loved bingo—starting on Thursday nights in the St. Patrick’s basement and, later, on cherished trips to Las Vegas. Professionally, she was very proud of her years spent working for the Minnesota Education Association (MEA) from age 50 until her retirement.
She was preceded in death by her parents, Mae and Ernest Bollmann; siblings, Bette, Bob, Marcella, Dave, Paul, Ted, and Audrey; children, Shawn and Barbara; and granddaughter, Sheena. She is survived by her children Scott Gallagher, Sheila (Kevin) Dewitt, Diane (Eugene) Maus, Molly (Paul) Wagner, and Monica (Tim) Sturm; her brother Leonard Bollmann; and many beloved grandchildren and great-grandchildren.
She leaves behind a legacy of laughter, music, and fiercely loyal love.
Mass of Christian Burial 12:00 pm Thursday, April 9th, with visitation one hour prior to Mass at the Church of St. Patrick, 3535 72nd St. E., Inver Grove Heights, MN 55076. Interment St. Patrick’s Church Cemetery.