Jo Ann Tupper

Jo Ann Tupper, 89. Grand Marais, MN, passed on Thursday, March 14, 2024 in her home surrounded by 3 of her 4 children. Jo was born in Grantsburg, WI on April 10, 1934 to Ruth and Donald Bannister. She spent most of her childhood in Robbinsdale, MN in the home her father built. Her summers were spent at her grandparents’ farm in La Crosse, WI where she holds many cherished memories including roller skating down a long, winding road across a bridge. She learned to ski at Moon Valley Ski Resort near Shakopee, MN and for a short time modeled ski attire.  It was when skiing in California that she met her first husband, George Field, the father of her four children. They were married at the First Congregational Church in Robbinsdale on October 12, 1955 with many friends and family in attendance. 

By age 27, Jo had already given birth to 4 children all born at Torrance Memorial Hospital. Her marriage ended not too long after and Jo moved back to Minnesota where she raised her four children in New Hope, MN with their stepfather.  During this time, she completed her teaching degree at the University of Minnesota and taught 5^th grade at Rockford Elementary. She loved the “Peanuts” characters and integrated them into her teaching and introduced them to her young children. She had many pets including a German Shepard named “Whiskey” and the most memorable one, a skunk named “Chanel” purchased for her eldest daughter.  

One of Jo’s most memorable trips was on an archaeological dig in Swaziland, South Africa where she spent several weeks digging for artifacts. After her second husband passed, she married Duane Tupper and lived in Oronoco, MN on his family farm.  There she enjoyed the company of her five stepsons and feeding the small calves on the farm. A few years after Duane passed, she moved to Grand Marais, MN where she spent the remainder of her life. She loved to make quilts for her grandchildren and always had a few dogs and cats, children, grandchildren and great grandchildren to keep her company.

Jo leaves behind her four children, Donald (Julie)Till, Mark Till, Laurie (Michael) Senty and Janine (Lawrence) Lefaive, 16 grandchildren and 19 great grandchildren and one on the way, due April 9th. She is also survived by her two sisters, Caryl Trager and Marcia Soule who reside in Seattle, WA. 

Jo will be laid to rest at the Maple Hill Cemetery in Grand Marais, MN.  Cards of condolence can be sent to the following address: P.O. Box 374, Grand Marais, MN 55604 in care of Mark Till. 

If she had any last words of advice, she’d say: FOLLOW YOUR HEART!