Obituary of Joanne Lee Avalos

Joanne “Jo” Lee Avalos, age 48, earned her wings on January 5th, 2023 after a courageous fight with throat/lung cancer. She was born on March 15th, 1974, to Ramiro and Debbie Avalos in Tulsa, Oklahoma. Joanne was silly, fun, creative, intelligent, generous, caring, positive, always dancing, and a beautiful, strong woman. She had a passion and talent for hair and was a hairstylist the majority of her lifetime. Joanne had an Associate’s degree in Human Resource Management and Communications and was working on continuing her education. She would strike up a conversation with anybody, which resulted in great friendships. Joanne loved Las Vegas, “her happy place”, and would treat herself to an annual birthday trip. She loved the Lord and furthered her faith by being baptized by water on May 6th, 2018, at River Valley Church in Apple Valley, MN. Joanne was a foodie, loved to cook and entertain, and host holidays and birthday parties. She valued family the most and would do anything for her children and 10 grandchildren. Joanne was loved by all and will truly be missed by everyone’s heart that she touched. 

Joanne is survived by her sons Tyler and Daine, and daughters Halie and Mariana Avalos; mother Debbie Howie; sisters Kristal Howie and Maria Avalos, and brother Jeff Avalos. Also, many more family members and friends.

Joanne is preceded in death by her father Ramiro Avalos, grandfather Roy Walburn, and grandmother Esther Walburn. Also her aunt Joanne Walburn that she was named after, however passed before she was born.

Special thanks to all the doctors and nurses at M Health Fairview Hospitals and Specialty Care Clinics, Abbott Northwestern Hospital, Renew ENT & Hearing Center, and Southdale Otolaryngology that cared for Joanne at some point in her journey. 

A Celebration Of Life will be held on Jo’s birthday. Contact Kristal Howie (sister) for details. In lieu of flowers and cards, consider donating to her GoFundMe to help with end of life wishes https://gofund.me/3e1a155d

“She is clothed with strength and dignity and she laughs without fear of the future” (Proverbs 31:25).