Joan "Joanie" Bradac

Joan Francis Bradac Joanie was born July 5, 1954 in Baker, Montana. She traveled joyfully through 61 years of life before passing away peacefully at Golden Eagle Assisted Living on February 18, 2016.Joans first 17 years were spent living on a ranch in Western North Dakota. After her father Alois died, she moved to Great Falls with her mother Evelyn Bradac.What follows is a letter of wonderment and appreciation for a truly unique and special individual.Dear Joanie Baloney,Your mother asked why me when you arrived into this world with your long list of disabilities and the frightening prediction from Doctors that you would be severely handicapped and could not be expected to live past 5 years of age. But what they couldnt know was your special gift inside that your outer disabilities disguised. This baby was born with a huge heart and a fighting spirit.You, our dear Joanie have touched hundreds of lives demonstrating acts of kindness. What was important to you were the simple things that make life worth living. Unconditional acceptance of others, a wicked sense of humor, love freely given and a healthy dose of spunk to mention a few.Each of us have precious memories that have left us a little wiser and a little more blessed. We celebrate your life Joanie, and are sharing our joy of knowing you and sorrow of losing you with those in the community who also know and love you. To your family at Golden Eagle and Easter Seals who showed you love for many, many years, to your and our dear friend Shannon Turner who was with you through thick and thin, and to all those we dont know, but who know you.Please join us in celebrating Joanies life at the following events: vigil service Sunday, February 21, 2016 at 5:00 p.m. at Hillcrest Lawn Memorial Chapel for rosary and memory sharing. Funeral liturgy Monday, February 22, 2016 at 10:30 a.m. at the Trinitas Chapel, UGF campus, followed by a light lunch at Schnider Funeral Home. A graveside service at Riverside Cemetery in Marmarth, ND will be held February 23, 2016 at 12 noon followed by a community meal at the Pastime Club, Marmarth, ND.We will miss you sweet Joanie and will do our best to make you proud of us!With love from your family,Your sisters, Lois Richardson and husband Terry of Missoula, Susan Wenski and husband Phillip of Tacoma, WA, Mary Lyn Reitz of Great Falls; your nieces and nephews, Robyn (Joe), Renee, Kris (Ben), Liisa (Emmanuel), Rusty (Sandy), Phil (Jennifer), Joe (Tracy), Matt (Dawn), Rita (Bart), Melanie, Marie (Rob), Mike (Pam); and your great nieces and nephews, River, Fisher, Finn, Evelyn, Remi, Elodie, Wylie, Maddie, Elizabeth, Bella, Doc, Ty, Austin, Devin, Jake, Emma, Bailey, Garrett, Nick, Jackie, Ryan, Helen, Erich, and Cooper.