Joan Sybil Kladifko

JoAn Sybil (Peterson Anderson) Kladifko, age 95, of San Antonio, Texas, formerly of Plymouth, Minnesota, passed away peacefully on April 4, 2026, the day before Easter. She was preceded in death by her parents, Robert Peterson and Hulda Jordin; her husband, George Kladifko; siblings Elaine Stromvall, Wilton, Virgil, son-in-law Tito Zarate, and many beloved family members. She is lovingly remembered by her daughter, Jinnea Victoria Zarate of Golden Valley, Minnesota; her sons, James Ronald Anderson (Martha) of San Antonio, Texas, and Thomas Ray Anderson (Donna) of Frisco, Texas; her stepchildren, Jim Kladifko (Kay) of Valles Mines, Missouri, and Sandra Bergum of Brooklyn Park, Minnesota; as well as 7 grandchildren, 16 great-grandchildren, 7 step-grandchildren, and 25 step-great-grandchildren. A Celebration of Life will be held at Plymouth Covenant Church, 4300 Vicksburg Lane North, Plymouth, Minnesota, on Saturday, May 16, with visitation at 10:00 a.m., service at 11:00 a.m., and luncheon to follow at 12:00 p.m. All are also welcome to gather at 2:00 p.m. for interment at Summit Park Cemetery in Wayzata. JoAn was born on June 27, 1930, on a farm just outside Strout, Minnesota, the youngest of four children birthed to Robert and Hulda Peterson. Growing up during the Great Depression and the harsh conditions of the Dust Bowl era, JoAn experienced both hardship and resilience. She grew up in a farmhouse with no plumbing or electricity and a pot belly stove for heat. Food was grown and canned. Nothing was wasted. JoAn fondly recalled winter days when her father would pick her up from school in a horse-drawn sleigh, warmed by heated bricks and wrapped in blankets. One of her favorite childhood recollections was the first time she turned on a lightbulb at age five, when the farm was finally wired for electricity. These and other childhood experiences shaped her outlook on life. Her faith journey began early in life at Beckville Evangelical Lutheran Church, where she was confirmed in 1944, shortly after the loss of her father. His passing deeply impacted the family. With her brothers serving in the military and her sister grown and living on her own, JoAn and her mother faced significant challenges, including selling the family farm to cover medical expenses and relocating to the town of Litchfield. Despite these difficulties, JoAn often reflected that she never felt poor, because the Lord always provided for their needs. With her mother's guidance, JoAn learned to design and sew her own clothing, a skill she would use throughout her life. JoAn married her high school sweetheart, Jim Anderson, and together they had three children: Jinnea, Ron, and Tom. After the marriage ended, JoAn navigated life as a single mother with strength and deep faith. Following several years of struggling with odd jobs to make ends meet, JoAn was led to sell her house and apply for a volunteer staff position with Daystar Ministries where she served for eleven years, dedicating herself to ministry work in various locations while receiving only room and board for herself and her children. After leaving Daystar, JoAn returned to Minneapolis to care for her mother. Once again starting anew, she worked various jobs while continuing her education to become an accountant. She supplemented her income with her remarkable sewing talent, designing much of what she created including clothing, curtains, and even wedding dresses. She later became an accomplished quilter, carefully piecing quilt tops by hand. She also enjoyed painting with her sister, Elaine, and exploring other creative pursuits. In her later years she became proficient at creating personal greeting cards to send to family and friends for all occasions. JoAn spent seventeen years working for Omni-Tract Surgical, a global business, where she rose through the ranks to become the company comptroller. Guided by the thrift and discipline she learned in childhood, she planned wisely for the future and ensured she could provide for herself after retirement. One of her most cherished memories was a trip she took with Elaine to Norway and Sweden in 1996. While in Sweden, she spent meaningful time with many relatives, forming connections she treasured throughout her life. A special highlight of the journey was her 66th birthday when she slept in the home on the family farm where her grandfather, John Jordin, had lived before emigrating to America. She was deeply touched when her children visited Sweden last year, reconnecting with family and visiting the same family homes. She only wished she had been well enough to share that experience alongside them. Later in life, JoAn found love again when she married her longtime friend, George Kladifko. Together they shared thirteen wonderful years filled with theater, travel, dominoes, jigsaw puzzles, and cherished time with their growing blended family. George passed away in 2010, just before their thirteenth wedding anniversary. Nine years ago, JoAn moved to San Antonio to be closer to her son Ron. She enjoyed helping Ron and Martha renovate their lake house, especially the painting projects. Even in her later years, she delighted family and friends with her homemade peach pies, a tradition she continued through her 90th birthday. Through every season of life, JoAn remained steadfast in her faith. She often said that the Lord never failed or forsook her. He always made a way and provided for her needs. She was at peace when she was called home, ready to meet her Lord and Savior, and to hear the words, "Well done, good and faithful servant." It was JoAn's wish that, in lieu of flowers, donations be made to Metro Hope Ministries, 2739 Cedar Avenue S., Minneapolis, MN 55407. Metro Hope Ministries is a faith-based organization she supported that reached out to those with addictions and offered them a new life.

Joan Sybil Kladifko

June 27, 1930 - April 4, 2026

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