Jovenia Thea Walton (Aamodt) “Jo” passed away on August 24, 2024, at the age of 77, in her hometown of Greenbush, Minnesota. Born on July 26, 1947, in Thief River Falls, Minnesota at St. Luke’s hospital, Jo lived a life marked by kindness, compassion, and a vibrant spirit.
Jo graduated as valedictorian of her class from Greenbush High School in 1965. She moved to the Twin Cities where she met the Harriett Ave crew and worked at the Housing Authority, General Office Products and served in the Naval Reserve from 1967 to 1971. During that time, she met her best friend Wallace Walton and on April 20, 1968 they married. In 1977 they opened Rum River Builders Supply in Princeton. While living in Princeton Jo also excelled at selling real Estate.
After returning to Middle River from Princeton, Jo was an accountant for Hanson Turkey Farms. Once she completed her accounting role, she dedicated herself to managing veteran community hubs, including the Thief River Falls VFW for approximately ten years and the Middle River American Legion. Jo’s vibrant spirit brought people together during that time by being instrumental in organizing many community events, fundraisers, and USO shows. A highlight during this time was receiving the National Women of Today Project of the Year for a Kiss the Pig contest. She then began her career at Seven Clans Casino where she worked in many roles including: managing the players club; managing the hotel; and Executive Host with Joyce Fowler. Her commitment to these roles underscored her lifelong dedication to supporting her fellow veterans and the communities around her.
Jo’s hobbies included finding deals, sewing, wallpapering, home decorating, playing cards, and enjoying games of Bingo, all of which brought her great joy and allowed her to express her compassion as well as her creative and playful spirit. Many people have wallpaper, decorative pillows, bedding, or curtains that she sewed for them.
Jo was a beloved mother, grandmother, sister, aunt, cousin, great grandmother, sister-in-law, and friend. She is survived by her sons, Wade Walton of Denver, CO; Jarrett Walton and his wife Amelia (Ami) of Cass Lake, MN; and her daughter, Wendy Wahl and her husband Robert (Bob) of Thief River Falls, MN as well as 4 grandchildren and three great- grandchildren: Nicolas (Nic) Berry, Caitlin Wahl, Wyatt Walton, Christian Wahl, Emmett Berry, Silas Howell and Elenor Berry. She is also survived by her brothers and sister: Alton Aamodt of Greenbush, MN, Ed (Cheryl) Aamodt of Duluth; Carol (Paul) Laugen of Thief River Falls, MN as well as many nieces, nephews, and cousins.
She was preceded in Death by her husband Wallace (Wally) Walton, 3 angel babies, mother Elena Aamodt, Father Alfred Aamodt, brother Eugene Aamodt and cousin Erick Olson.
A Memorial Service to honor Jovenia will be held at 3:00 PM on Thursday, August 29, 2024 at Obit in Thief River Falls, MN, with Pastor Curtis trfnews.i234.me officiating. Interment will take place at the Finnish Cemetery, rural Middle River, MN.
Visitation will be held one hour prior to the memorial service on Thursday at Obit.
# Jovenia “Jo” Walton, #