Jo Anne was born and raised in Comfrey, MN. She attended college at Southwest State University in Marshall, MN where she got her degree in education and met her husband of 56 years, John.

She moved to New Brighton, MN and had her daughter, Jacquelyn. She moved to Bloomington, MN had her son, Ryan. She then moved back to Marshall, MN where she taught elementary school for 15 years.

Jo Anne earned her Master’s degree in education from the U of M. Jo Anne was given an opportunity to teach education at Southwest State University. She earned her doctorate degree in education from SDSU. She continued to be a professor and eventually the chair of the education department until her retirement in 2010.

Jo Anne moved to the Twin Cities metro area and then bought a home in Poinciana, Florida. She enjoyed being a snowbird and had many beloved friends in both Minnesota and Florida, as well as from all over the world that she met on her many travels.

Jo Anne loved to attend her children and grandchildren’s activities, to go on cruises, to travel, and to go to Disney World. She continued to do so until the very end. She was planning to leave to go on a cruise with her children and grandchildren three days after she passed away.

Jo Anne had the ability to always see the best in other people and truly believed that things would be better tomorrow. She focused on making others feel comfortable, often at the expense of herself. She loved to read a good book, especially if she could be floating in a swimming pool with her daughter, as she was doing the day before she passed.

She will forever be missed for her kindness, generosity, and eternal optimism. She was the best wife, mother, and grandmother ever. Jo Anne wanted to be remembered for caring about her friends and family. She also wanted to have made a difference in the lives of the many students that she taught for 29 years.

Jo Anne was preceded in death by her parents, Allen and Norma Seavert; her best friend and cousin, Lynne Eberlin; her niece, Lisa Seavert; her nephew, Vince Glasgow; and her great-nephew, Leo Glasgow. She is survived by her husband John, her daughter, Jacquelyn Cardinal (Jason), her son Ryan Glasgow (Christina), brother Richard Seavert (Karen), and grandchildren: Katelyn and Ashlyn Cardinal, Colton, Camden, and Brielle Glasgow.

A celebration of life will be held on Friday, May 8, 2026 from 6-9pm at Mississippi Crossings Event Center, 307 E River Pkwy, Champlin, MN. To honor Jo Anne’s love of travel, please wear tropical clothing if you wish.