JoAnn C. Costigan

JoAnn C. Costigan, age 79 of Litchfield, MN died on Wednesday December 26, 2018 at Meeker Manor in Litchfield. A memorial service will be held at 10:30 AM on Saturday, January 12, 2019 at First Lutheran Church in Litchfield. Visitation will be held from 5:00 - 7:30 PM on Friday, January 11, at the Johnson-Hagglund Funeral Home and will continue one hour prior to the service on Saturday. Memorials may be given to the Litchfield High School Library or First Lutheran Church in Litchfield. JoAnn Carrie (Steffensen) Costigan was born September 15, 1939 on a farm near Joice, Iowa. She was the daughter of Arthur and Zilpha (Oleson) Steffensen. Growing up on the farm, the last of 11 children, JoAnn attended country school until the middle of 3rd grade. JoAnn's father, Arthur died suddenly at the age of 42 when JoAnn was just 10 years old. A few years later Zilpha moved to the small town of Buffalo Center Iowa, just one block from the Costigan household, half a block if you took the alley. JoAnn graduated in 1957 from the Buffalo Center, Iowa High School. She worked as assistant to the superintendent for two years after graduating. In August of 1959 JoAnn married Thomas Allan Costigan. JoAnn and Tom lived in Mankato while Tom finished his college education and had his first job as a teacher in Mapleton MN. JoAnn worked at Mankato State College, now Minnesota State University, as head of the receiving and duplicating department, during this time. JoAnn and Tom moved to Litchfield when their first child, Terri, was one year old. They raised 3 children, creatively named Terri, Todd and Tim. JoAnn was a stay at home mom when the children were young and was the exceptional mom. She served as an “adopted mom” to many! Holidays were lovely, her frosted Christmas cookies and brownies were loved by all. Her smile lit up a room. She was kind and service minded, serving individuals and organizations passionately. JoAnn was involved in many community activities throughout the years particularly in the church. She was a charter member of the Litchfield Study Club, board member at the Litchfield Public Library, and was very active at First Lutheran Church, morning circle, WELCA, Serving group, Caring Visitors and BREW. She often spoke of the very interesting discussions and wonderful women that attended the BREW group. She was also a proud Lioness. JoAnn went back to work when her youngest son, Tim, entered the first grade. She was the media assistant, doing double duty as the nurse's aide at the Litchfield High School for nearly 30 years from 1976 to 2005 when she retired. Everyone at the high school knew her as Mrs. C. She loved the job and all of the kids she would get to know and support over the years. JoAnn enjoyed reading, attending plays and concerts of all kinds and attending many events to watch and support her children and grandchildren. She enjoyed traveling over the years to the Bahamas, Hawaii, Rome and many trips to Germany to visit Todd, Annette and Regina. JoAnn is survived by her husband Tom Costigan; 3 children and their spouses, Terri Draxten (Fusi Suleimana), Todd Costigan (Annette Berger), and Tim Costigan (Iwona); 4 grandchildren, Karissa Chevallier (Christopher), Ian Draxten (Helena Most), Brett Boldt and Regina Costigan; and one great grandchild Sienna Chevallier. Also siblings Betty Mitchell, Jeanette Ennen, Marvin Steffensen, sisters and brother in law, Clarine, Delores and Susan Steffensen, Mick and Lois Costigan, Christina Costigan, Mary Steen, Dixie Costigan, and many nieces, nephews and cousins. Preceded in death by her mother and father, Arthur and Zilpha Steffensen, brothers Devere, Cecil, Garth, Clyde and Don Steffensen, and sisters, Elaine Yates and Mae Anderson and numerous beloved brothers and sisters in law.