The Big Sandy Mountaineer -

Long-time Lewistown resident Joanne Marie (Main) Jenkins peacefully passed away on Monday, October 16, 2023, of natural causes. Joanne, 84, was born October 3, 1939, in Harlem, Montana, to John Main and Agnes Marie Packer. She spent her growing up years in Havre where she attended St. Jude's Catholic School. In 1956 Joanne moved to Big Sandy, and it was there she met the love of her life, Jerry Jenkins. They were married in 1957 and remained so for 61 years, until Jerry passed away in 2018.

Jerry and Joanne spent the early years of their marriage on their ranch, homesteaded by Jerry's grandfather, and located southeast of Big Sandy near the Bears Paw Mountains. They were blessed with three daughters, Sharyl, Charlotte, and Sheila, all of whom would become Jerry and Joanne's best ranch hands. Ranch life was initially a challenge for Joanne, who had always been a "city girl," but she soon became an excellent homemaker, gardener, and cook and was known for her "world famous gravy" and her beautiful interior design work. Joanne took great pride in being a domestic engineer!

In 1983, Jerry and Joanne leased their ranch to the Brian and Dana Gasvoda Families and moved to Ruby Gulch in the Judith Mountains outside of Lewistown. There they were actively involved in the Central Montana Trail Dusters Car Club and Joanne very much enjoyed her bowling team and home extension club. She was also a long-time member of both the Lewistown Eagles and Moose Clubs. Although they greatly missed many dear friends from the Big Sandy area, they loved their Lewistown area home and friends, and remained there until their deaths.

Joanne is survived by her stepsister, Sheila Villarreal (Miguel), of Miami, FL, and three daughters, Sharyl Schmit (Mike) of Great Falls, Charlotte Carroll (Laine) of Lewistown, and Sheila Hlubucek (Mark) of Reno, NV. As well, she is survived by nine grandchildren: Autumn Lineweaver (Curt) of Havre, Charlotte Durham (Casey) of Bozeman, Jerry Schmit of New York, NY, Jessica Vanderziel (Martin Rice) of Great Falls, Charles Muhtadi and Marek Hlubucek, both of Reno, NV, John Schmit of Denver, CO, Cassie Bullard (Danny) of Malta, and Carrie Beckley (Scott) of Willits, CA. She is also survived by eight great-grandchildren: Alex and Cooper Lineweaver, Camilla and Cruz Durham, Opal and Ivy Bullard, and Orem and Miriana Beckley. Joanne is also survived by the young man she always considered a son, Brian Gasvoda, of Big Sandy. She was preceded in death by her husband, Jerry L. Jenkins, her mother, Agnes M. Schend, and her father, John Main.

A Celebration of Life for Joanne will be held on Wednesday, November 8th, 2023, from 1:00 – 4:00 pm at the Lewistown Esplanade Gathering Center, 401 7th Avenue South.

Because of the truly amazing care both Joanne and Jerry received from the Central Montana Medical Center Hospice program, the family suggests memorial donations be sent to: CMMC Hospice, 408 Wendell Avenue, Lewistown, Montana, 59457.

Arrangements are under the care of Creel Funeral Home. Joanne's family and friends can share memories and condolences at http://www.creelfuneralhome.com