Joanne C. Bennerotte, 67, of Concord Township, died with her family by her side Monday, November 19, 2012 at her home after a four year courageous fight against cancer. Joanne was born March 12, 1945 in Rochester, Minnesota the daughter of Carlyle and Viola (Mensing) Gossard. She was raised and attended school in West Concord graduating from West Concord High School in 1963. She then worked for 3M in St. Paul as a secretary. She was united in marriage to Charles Bennerotte on October 7, 1967 in Dodge Center. She worked for a short time for Prudential in Rochester. Joanne and Charles operated a dairy farm in Concord Township until 1997. Starting in 1991 she worked for Whiting''s Nursery in Rochester as a floral designer and crafting bows and wreaths. She also co-owned Riverside Gifts in Mantorville. Charlie died on January 1, 2000. Joanne was a very active member at Zwingli United Church of Christ, the Berne Cemetery Association, Mantorville Chamber of Commerce and Mantorville Restoration Association. Joanne was also a 4-H leader for 30 years and a member of the American Dairy Association. She is survived by her daughters, Julie Bennerotte of Rochester; Carmen (and Michael) Goeden of Port Washington, WI; Lisa Bennerotte of Inver Grove Heights; two grandchildren Elenora and Brody Goeden; sister Marian (and Quentin) Kleinwort of Dodge Center; brother Gaylord (and Penne) Gossard of Dodge Center; brothers-in-law, Brian Bennerotte of Eagan; Stuart (and Sara) Bennerotte of Minneapolis; Wesley (and Cheryl) Bennerotte of Woodbury; sisters-in-law Sue Bennerotte of Maryville, MO; and Myrna (and Steve) Rasmussen of Dundas. She was preceded in death by her husband Charles Bennerotte, her parents, her parents-in-law, and brother-in-law Gary Bennerotte. Visitation will be at Michaelson Funeral Home, West Concord on Wednesday, November 21, 2012 from 4:00 PM to 7:00 PM and at Michaelson Funeral Home, Owatonna on Friday, November 23, 2012 from 10:00 AM to 11:00 AM. Funeral services and Celebration of Life will be held Friday, November 23, 2012 at 11:00 AM at Michaelson Funeral Home, 1930 Austin Rd, Owatonna with Reverend George Coy officiating. Interment will be in the Berne Cemetery in Concord Township. In lieu of flowers memorials are preferred to Berne Cemetery Association, Zwingli United Church of Christ, Dodge County Relay for Life or donor''s choice. Visitation: 11/21/2012 16:00 11/21/2012 19:00 Service: and one hour prior to the service at Michaelson Funeral Home, Owatonna, Minnesota 11/23/2012 11:00