Joan Jo Pat Curtis

Funeral service for Joan Patricia "Jo Pat" Curtis, 58, of Gilbert, will be 11am Monday, August 23, 2010 in St. Joseph's Catholic Church in Gilbert with Fr. John O'Donnell officiating. Visitation will be Sunday from 5-7pm in Ziemer-Moeglein-Shatava Funeral Home in Gilbert and will continue for one hour prior to the service at the church on Monday. Jo Pat died Tuesday, August 17, 2010 in the Virginia Convalescent Care Center. She was born August 25, 1951 in St. Paul, MN to Clyde and Barbara (Spellum) Beise. Jo Pat was a 1969 graduate of Lester Prairie High School and later attended St. Cloud State University's nursing program. Following that, she attended Hibbing Culinary School. Over the years, it was her joy to travel, especially to Jamaica, where she met and married her husband Anthoney Curtis on Nov. 24, 1991. Throughout her culinary career, Jo Pat served asExecutive Chef for the following establishments: Franklin House, Esquagama Country Club, Rainy Lake Saloon and Deli, The Coates Hotel, Mesaba Country Club and the Grand Ely Lodge. Together, Jo Pat and Toney realized their dream of owning a Jamaican restaurant. For the past 14 years they operated the award winning Whistling Bird Bar and Cafe. She is survived, and will be deeply missed so very much, by her husband, Toney, brother, Bill (Laurie) Beise of Minneapolis, nieces: Olivia and Elsa Beise, nephew: Isaiah Beise She was preceded in death by her parents and a sister, Carol. Jo Pat will be dearly missed by many cherished friends--especially her faithful and enduring friend, Tootsie, who helped her walk through the stages of her illness. Jo Pat relished every life experience and made everyone she met feel important and truly appreciated. Family requests memorial gifts be sent to The Fresnius Medical Center Dialysis Unit in Eveleth.