Joanne M. Cary

Joanne Marie Cary (Rusch), surrounded by her family, passed gently and peacefully into the eternal embrace of her Savior, Jesus Christ, on August 18, 2026, at her home in Forest Lake, Minnesota. She was 86 years old.

Born on April 2, 1940, in Saint Paul, Minnesota, Joanne’s life was marked by determination, faith, and devotion to the people and work she loved. Her greatest joy, deepest love and proudest achievement was her family; she loved her husband and children unconditionally, with unwavering support, tenderness and affection.

Growing up on Saint Paul's East Side, she loved reading, listening to the radio, singing, and dancing. She received her elementary education at Sacred Heart Catholic School and graduated from Harding High School in 1958. With a desire to pursue a career in the entertainment field she attended the Brown Institute of Broadcasting in Minneapolis, graduating in 1959 as the only female student in the school. She was told that, because she was a woman, her opportunities would be limited to secretarial work or commercial writing and that she need not learn to operate broadcasting equipment. Joanne answered with characteristic resolve: “No. You’ll teach me everything.” That insistence on not being discriminated against because of her gender helped shape a career that would break barriers and leave a lasting mark in broadcasting.

In 1959, Joanne accepted a position at WTMB, a new radio station in Tomah, Wisconsin, as a commercial writer, but only on the condition that she would also receive airtime. She went on the air daily as host of a women’s program, beginning a trailblazing career that crossed both radio and television. During this time, she entered and won the "Miss Tomah" pageant, going on to represent the city in the Miss Wisconsin pageant.

It was at WTMB that she met the love of her life, Ed Cary, who was the program director of the new radio station. Over the next 67 years, 65 of them married, they forged a life together built on love, friendship, mutual admiration and respect. Theirs was a true, sacramental partnership in every way.

Through the years, she worked in multiple areas of the broadcast industry, appearing on-air at stations including KGLO-TV in Mason City, Iowa, and WAVN in Stillwater, Minnesota. She also hosted the “Midday” program on WCCO-TV in Minneapolis, appeared in a national television commercial, and acted in numerous industrial training films for 3M. She brought skill and professionalism to every endeavor, becoming known as a consummate communicator and interviewer.

She limited her professional work to part-time while her children were young, always there to greet them at the door after school, taking joy in listening to their tales about the day, helping with schoolwork and embracing what she considered the greatest role of her life, being a mother.

One of the defining achievements of her professional life came in Forest Lake, where she and Ed built a radio station from the ground up, putting WLKX-FM on the air in 1978. They risked everything to accomplish this, truly living the American dream. Together they owned and successfully operated the station as Managing Partners. She was active in many charitable and business organizations, including service on the Forest Lake Chamber of Commerce, Board of Directors.

In 2000 Joanne retired from her pioneering broadcasting career. Her retirement did not mark a slowing of purpose, but rather a turning toward other parts of a full and engaged life.

Joanne’s Catholic faith was the foundation of her life, and she did her best to live that faith each day. That commitment was reflected in the way she gave her time and attention to others. She volunteered in many capacities, including mentoring teenagers, teaching English as a second language, serving as a volunteer for the Forest Lake Youth Service Bureau Restorative Justice program, and working as a volunteer guardian ad litem. She was passionate about literacy, justice, equality, and protecting the most vulnerable among us.

Beyond her public work and volunteer service, Joanne’s life was richly textured by the things she loved. She was a voracious reader, enjoyed concerts and theater outings, was a gifted cook, baker, and talented gardener. She held a special place in her heart for all animals and adored her many dogs through the years. Joanne laughed easily and had a wonderful sense of humor. Her annual Fourth of July party was a cherished family event.

Joanne loved to learn and loved to teach; she was inquisitive, interested in the thoughts and opinions of others, and welcomed spirited but respectful discussion on any subject. Her curiosity fueled her desire to travel, and she and Ed journeyed throughout the United States and internationally, experiencing new cultures and creating treasured memories. She loved life and she lived hers fully.

Those closest to Joanne knew her as a woman of character, faith, drive, generosity, kindness, resilience, strength, and grace. She loved her family most of all, and that love remained central throughout her life.

Joanne is survived by her husband, Eddie “Ed” Cary; children, Gregory Cary and Cathleen Cary; granddaughter, Molly Cary (Jaxton Goller); sister-in-law, Dona Rusch; numerous cousins, nieces, nephews, and friends; and by those she embraced as family and loved with a maternal warmth and affection: James and Connie Asp, David and Jenni Westergren, and grandchildren Anders Asp, Annika Asp, Taylor Gunderson (Westergren), Bailee Novak (Westergren), and their spouses and children.

She was preceded in death by her parents, Joseph Rusch, Sr. and Marion Rusch (Straka); siblings, Bernice Rusch (infant), Jerome Rusch, MaryAnne Blommel, Barbara Truso, and Joseph Rusch, Jr.; brothers-in-law, Francis Truso and Robert Blommel; sister-in-law, Judy Favorite; and nephew, David Rusch.

Joanne Marie Rusch Cary will be remembered for a life of accomplishment, service, and love...one lived with purpose, courage and conviction. Her absence leaves a profound loss in the lives of those who knew and loved her.

A Visitation will be held on September 18, 2026, from 9:30 am to 11:00 am, followed by a Mass of Christian Burial at 11:00 am, at Sacred Heart Catholic Church, 840 6th St East, in Saint Paul. Luncheon reception to follow in the church hall.

In lieu of flowers the family suggests donations to Sacred Heart Catholic Church, or the Washington County Library.