Jo-An Getsinger
Born October 21, 1933 in Cloquet, Minnesota Died January 5, 2023 in Annapolis, Maryland Joan Muriel Obernolte grew up outside McGregor, Minnesota, the youngest daughter of Albert W. Obernolte and Thea Onstad.
On the family’s 100-acre farm on Round Lake they grew corn, wheat, oats, barley, potatoes, carrots and raspberries and raised beef cattle, dairy cows, sheep and chickens. They didn’t have much money but they had a dog named Shep and onehorse open sleigh that Jo-An remembered fondly. Jo-An’s name for much of her life was spelled “Joan” but pronounced Joanne, possibly because her parents had limited exposure and weren’t very good at spelling. In later life she adopted the spelling Jo-An to reduce confusion.
Jo-An graduated from McGregor High School in 1950 and from the University of Minnesota in 1954, where she sang in the University choir. After graduation she joined the US State Department and was posted to the US Embassy in Saigon, South Vietnam. In Asia she met Daniel Ricketson of New Bedford, MA, and in 1958 they flew home to be married at Round Lake Presbyterian Church. They had two children, Kim and Sean. They lived in Taipei, Taiwan; Hong Kong; Kuala Lumpur, Malaysia and Vienna, VA. In Taiwan Jo-An became fluent speaking Mandarin Chinese, hiked across the island and climbed Taiwan’s highest mountain peaks, Yushan and Xueshan. While in Malaysia she developed her talent for flower arrangements and floral design. Living in Vienna, VA Jo-An worked as Secretary to the Principal of Marshall High School in Falls Church, VA. She was active as a tenor with the National Cathedral Choral Society in Washington DC, and also sang in the choir of the Epiphany United Methodist Church in Vienna where she was a member. After Daniel passed in 1988 Jo-An married Norman Getsinger in 1992 at Trinity Episcopal Church in Washington, VA. They lived on Jericho Road in Flint Hill for 20 years until Norman’s passing in 2012. Joan then lived in Washington VA until 2015 when she moved to Annapolis, MD to be closer to her children and nursing care.
During her 23 years in Rappahannock County Jo-An immersed herself in Washington’s supportive community. She was a member of the choir at Trinity Church and joined with her husband in community theater productions. She was an active member of the garden club. An avid walker, Jo-An enjoyed Shenandoah National Park, and walked the Fodderstack for years often accompanied by Blondie, her golden retriever. At 80 she was one of the oldest walkers. Jo-An was a loving wife, mother, sister, aunt, godmother, and friend to many. She will be sorely missed.
She is survived by her daughter, Kim Ricketson, her son, Sean Ricketson, his wife, Kathy Ricketson, as well as Norman Getsinger’s sons Ralph Getsinger, Norman Getsinger, Jr, his wife Kim Rusch, and George Getsinger.
Her memorial service is on March 22nd at 2 P.M. at Trinity Episcopal Church in Washington, VA. The service will be followed by her burial alongside her late husband Norman Getsinger at St Paul’s Episcopal Cemetery in Woodville, VA.