Joanne “Jo” Marie Bennett, 79, of Geneseo, passed away on Monday, December 15, 2025, at Allure of Geneseo. She passed away days after celebrating her 79th birthday with her family. Per the family’s wishes, cremation rites have been accorded, and no services will be held. In lieu of flowers, memorials may be directed to the family, in care of Amanda Skiff, PO Box 298244, Wasilla, AK 99629.
Joanne Swanson Bennett was born on November 22, 1946, in Geneseo, Illinois, to Paul and Lois (Stahl) Swanson. Her early years were filled with training ponies, playing trumpet in the high school marching band, and helping with her brothers and sisters on the family farm. She was a member of the Rough Riders 4-H club and showed horses for several years at the Henry County Fair in Cambridge, IL. Joanne was the second-born of nine children to Paul and Lois (Stahl) Swanson, both of Geneseo. She graduated from Geneseo High School in 1964 and attended Western Illinois University. After her academic years, she became a Professional Horse Trainer and worked at several renowned horse farms. She married Ray W. Bennett, a farmer from Verona, IL, on June 7th, 1980, and they celebrated their 45th anniversary this year. In April of 1981, they had a daughter, Amanda R. Skiff, of Wasilla, AK. Wanting to raise their daughter amongst the mountains out west, they moved to Bigfork, Montana, in the early '80s. Joanne had also been diagnosed with M.S. in 1979, and her doctors suggested that a climate change may help her health. Once in MT, she continued working for many ranches, training horses and managing barns. One of her favorites was a Norwegian Fjord horse property. Her beloved Arabian gelding, Pizzazz, fondly called "Pizza", became her most-loved companion. Joanne, Pizza, and their carriage did many special events, countless weddings, Santa Claus arrivals, giving rides at the local senior center, and all of the local parades. Joanne and her family were long-time Bigfork Elves, decorating the town every Christmas and giving sleigh rides downtown for more than a decade. Pizza was even invited to be in a Christmas show on stage in the Bigfork Playhouse. Two different local artists did oil paintings of them downtown Bigfork and turned the images into prints and popular Christmas cards. Joanne was proud to tell everyone that her and Pizza were once featured in Sunset magazine. When Pizzazz passed, his obituary was published in the Bigfork Eagle newspaper. After Joanne retired from training horses, she managed Half Moon Ranch Supply in Columbia Falls, MT. In 2010, Ray and Joanne decided to live in their 5th wheel full-time, taking life on the road. Since their daughter Amanda and her husband, Todd Skiff, live in Alaska, they spent many summers driving north to spend time with them. They enjoyed the Alaskan summers, being camp hosts, and spending time with their one beloved grandchild, Hadley Skiff. They spent their winters in Arizona, visiting friends and family along the way. "Jo" kept herself busy in the last few years painting rocks and cheering on the University of Montana Grizzly football team. She will be missed greatly, but we know she is resting peacefully, and we will carry her in our hearts forever.
Those left to cherish her memory include her husband, Ray Bennett of Geneseo; daughter, Amanda (Todd) Skiff of Wasilla, AK; granddaughter, Hadley Skiff of Wasilla, AK; siblings, Barb (Bob) Kuhns of Geneseo, Allen (Rose) Swanson of Silvis, Virginia (Jerry) Klavohn of Geneseo, John (Sally) Swanson of Geneseo, Sue (Ron) Holevoet of Carlyle, IL, Kay (Tom) Conroy of Chassahowitzka, FL, Gregg (Marcia) Swanson of Geneseo, and Merri Lu Swanson of Geneseo; and several nieces and nephews.
Joanne was preceded in death by her parents, Paul and Lois Swanson.