The Big Sandy Mountaineer -

Joanne Lee Gasvoda Ford, 83, went to be with the Lord on December 20, 2023 in Victor, MT with her daughter, Kim and her faithful dog, Colby, at her side. She was born on July 22, 1940 in Havre, MT to Joseph & Earnesteen Gasvoda. She grew up on the family homestead in Big Sandy, MT until the family moved to Hamilton, MT in 1952. She graduated from the Hamilton High School in 1958.

Joanne is survived by her son, Barry Platt, and daughter, Kim Otten (Mike), 2 grandchildren, Amanda & Christopher, and 3 great-grandchildren, Noel, Trey, & Bentley. She is also survived by her brother, Jay Gasvoda, his children Jason(Brandyn), Cherrie (Ryan), Kellen (Jessica) and Sunny. Not to mention many nieces and nephews. We would not want to leave off her very special friend, Pat Breen Wilson, whom she has known from the 6th grade and Joan Gasvoda whom she considered a very close sister.

She is preceded in death by her 1st husband, Gene Platt, 2nd husband Charley Ford, her parents, and nephew Joseph Gasvoda.

Joanne was a very loving and compassionate person who enjoyed to be around family and friends. She loved knitting, crocheting and painting, which she shared her talents with anyone that she knew. She was an avid horse lover and was in many horse shows. Joanne worked many years with the Buttrey Food stores and later with State Farm Insurance and finally Osco Drug in Hamilton.

She will be deeply missed by all who knew and loved her as she was a very special person. She was tough, gritty and a very classy lady.

There will be a family gathering sometime in the Spring/Summer at the Big Sandy ranch.