Joanne Louise Tomlinson

Joanne Louise (Lavenberg) Tomlinson

Joanne went to be with our Lord on April 25, 2019 at 8:40 PM surrounded by family.  She was residing at The Lodge at Mallard’s Landing in Gig Harbor, Washington.  The family sincerely thanks the staff at The Lodge at Mallard’s Landing for their kindness and care of Joanne in her final years.  

Joanne was born in Los Angeles, California to George Nau Lavenberg and Elvera Elizabeth Hertha (Hengst) Lavenberg on March 6, 1936.  She was an only child until March 18, 1945 when Judith Ila (Lavenberg) Halweg was born.  She attended George Washington High School and Los Angeles City College.

Joanne married John Robert (Jack) Tomlinson on April 23, 1955 at Messiah Lutheran Church in Los Angeles, California.  They had four children; Marc Reeder Tomlinson, Dale Nau Tomlinson, Amy Elizabeth (Tomlinson) Nasca, and Marcia Ann Tomlinson.  She will be forever loved and missed by many which include: Son and family Marc (Lynnda) Tomlinson, Chad (Jill) Minor, Carter Minor, Lily Minor, Jeanna (Jason) Kilmer, Jeremy (Juliette) Tomlinson, Jackson Tomlinson, Steven Shakespeare; Grandchildren Jason Tomlinson, Amber Nowak, Jacklynn Peterson, Adaiah Peterson, Mathias Peterson; Daughter and family Amy (Joseph) Nasca, Kayla James, Addison Sabey; Tyler James; Daughter and family Marcia Tomlinson, Jack Schottel, Jayce Koenig; Sister and family Judy (Gerald) Halweg, Gina Alexander, Michael Alexander, Madeline Alexander, William Alexander, Disa (Walter) Gause, Walter Gause IV, Miles Gause, Dr. Garrett (Aja) Halweg, Holly (Ben) Batstone, Ila Batstone, Vera Batstone, Anna Batstone. She is preceded in death by her husband, John Robert Tomlinson and son, Dale Nau Tomlinson and her parents George and Elvera Lavenberg.  

Her husband, Jack, was a Captain and pilot of F-101’s in the U.S. Air Force so they traveled extensively.  Marc was born in Moses Lake, Washington, Dale was born in Japan, Amy was born in Germany and Marcia was born in Thousand Oaks, California.  She loved being a stay at home mom and Air Force wife, taking part in the Wives Club and other activities military life provided.  Everyone loved her ginger snaps, boy cookies, lemon meringue pies and many other delectable treats.  After retiring from the Air Force Jack was hired by Western Airlines and flew for them until his untimely death in 1978. During that time, they lived in Shelton, Washington and Thousand Oaks, California.

After Jack’s death, Joanne began working in Admissions at California Lutheran University.  She then joined the Tile Industry as an Administrative Assistant for Ceramic Tile Institute.  Her challenge in this position was that her father, George and brother-in-law, Jerry were her bosses!!!  She was honored for her dedication and service with the Tile Woman of the Year Award in 1987 by the Tile Industry.  Joanne left the Tile Industry and continued to live and work in Thousand Oaks, California.  She joined the staff at the Music House at California Lutheran University where she worked under the direction of Dr. Wyant Morton and was loved by many students and staff, including niece Holly Batstone, as Joanne saw them come and go for lessons and accompanied them on their choir tours.  They have fond memories of the candy bowl on her desk full of an endless supply of Werthers. Her generous spirit was also evident through her contributions to Ascension Lutheran Church.  She was a chaperone for Youth Groups, served on Church Council, and participated in Bible studies and Cursillo.

When she retired from full time employment, she met Frank Reimann on May 1, 2004 in Hawaii at a family wedding.  From that point on, they were either at his ranch near Orland, California or at home in Thousand Oaks and traveled extensively together until her health made it impossible to continue.  He gave her 11 years of travel and family fun for which we are extremely grateful.  Frank continues to reside at his ranch in Orland.   

Interment will take place on May 28, 2019 at Conejo Mountain Memorial Park at

2052 Howard Road, Camarillo, California at 9:30 AM for immediate family only.  The service to celebrate her life will be at Ascension Lutheran Church, 1600 E. Hillcrest Drive, Thousand Oaks, California.  A reception will follow in Founders Hall.

Joanne loved the students at California Lutheran University.  In honor of her love for music at the University and at her Church, a memorial fund has been established at Ascension Lutheran Church for the music of Ascension, where her “boss” from California Lutheran University is now the Chancel Choir Director, Dr. Wyant Morton.   Please designate “Chancel Choir in memory of Joanne Tomlinson” on the check to Ascension Lutheran Church, 1600 E. Hillcrest Drive, Thousand Oaks, California 91362.

...Family in the care of Erin Arteaga, Funeral Director