Josephine Ann (JoAnn, Jo) Molzhon Cleary, 81, died of complications of Alzheimer's disease, Saturday, December 9, 2017, in Florence, Montana, at Kathy's Place Assisted Living. She was born on June 13, 1936, in Wolfpoint, Montana, to Anton and Adela Molzhon; the fifth child in her family of eight siblings.

JoAnn's early years were on the prairie land of Eastern Montana. Her father homesteaded during the depression, turning the land of the dust bowl back to rich soil. The victory garden and small farm fed a growing family. The family moved to Round Butte and she attended schools in Vida and Pablo. She married Charles L. Jenne in 1953. They raised their four children in Arlee, Montana for which she is survived by daughter Deanna C. Jenne and husband Gary Weidner of Mesa, Colorado and sons living in Florence, Montana, Charles L. Jenne, Jr. and wife Rosann; Robert B. Jenne and wife Lori; and, Jeffery D. Jenne and wife Jo. She has 8 Grandchildren in order of age, Devan Quenell, Bradley and Christy Jenne, Katherine Inglis, Spencer and Logan Jenne, Joshua and Jesse Jenne.
JoAnn divorced in 1976 and married Edward J. Cleary in 1983 in Leadville, Colorado. They eventually made their home in the Bitterroot Valley. She is also survived by her stepchildren, Adam Cleary of Townsend, MT and Margaret (Mickey) and son-in-law, Brett Holzer, and their children of Helena MT.

JoAnn had a fierce and lifelong love for horses and a talent for drawing and painting Western landscapes. In many ways, JoAnn was self-taught and enjoyed learning. She attained her GED and learned photography, birding, to paint and swim. Her innate gift with horses gave her many years of pure enjoyment packing in the beautiful Montana wilderness. She was a creative person with sewing, cooking and worked as a cook in Arlee public school, owned and ran a cafe' in Lewistown, MT and worked for Community Hospital and senior centers throughout her life. She loved to travel, bird watch and she always had a beautiful garden that nourished her family.
JoAnn's lightheartedness, generosity and enjoyment of life has been missed by her family and friends as Alzheimer's begun about fifteen years ago. She was always very healthy with great stamina, a big smile with dimples.
JoAnn is also survived by her eldest brother Lawrence of Thompson Falls and younger brothers George of Ronan and Mike of Ronan, her older sister Annella Martin of Geraldine and younger sister Patricia Moline of Lewistown, MT. She has many nieces and nephews and many cousins, including Duncan Kinchen in Wisconsin. JoAnn's older brother Alan and younger sister, Mary, passed away in 2015 and 2000, respectfully. Both parents passed away in 1975.

Pallbearers will be Joann's grandsons Brad, Spencer, Logan, Joshua and Jesse Jenne and Nolan Holzer.

Special thanks to Kathy Porter and her staff at Kathy's Place.