JoAnn M. Zabinski

JoAnn M. Zabinski, age 79, of Faribault, MN, and formerly of Borup, MN, passed away September 24, 2026, at the Abbott-Northwestern Hospital in Minneapolis, MN, surrounded by family following a brief illness.

JoAnn Marie, the daughter of Charlie and Thelma (Hanson) Rud, was born on February 22, 1947, in Warren, MN. She graduated from Warren High School with the class of 1965. JoAnn was united in marriage to Duane Zabinski on September 18, 1965, in Warren, MN. From an early age JoAnn understood the value of hard work. She grew up on a farm picking rock starting in the 5th grade. She also helped at harvest time driving the potato truck. After they were married, they farmed with Duane’s dad north of Warren for about 10 years. They then bought the Longbranch Bar in Borup from 1974 – 1989, They bought the grocery store (J&D Grocery) to prevent the town from losing it and ran it for a couple of years before selling it. They relocated to Elk River in 1991 where she continued working in the retail working in just about every department at Kmart and then Famous Footwear.

JoAnn was a gifted painter. She produced beautiful oil paintings and taught others to paint for a few years. She was involved with the church and taught Sunday School for several years. She also was an incredible cook and baker. She served on the Borup 100th centennial committee. She knew all of her grandchildren’s favorites and would have a plate ready for them and a Tupperware container filled for the trip home.

She is survived by her husband of over 61 years, Duane Zabinski; sons, Troy (and Stephanie) Zabinski, Kevin (and Amy) Zabinski, and Jason (and Sarah) Zabinski; grandchildren, Chase Zabinski, Allison Zabinski, and Brianne Zabinski, Corinne (and Michael) Rieger, Blake Zabinski, Reed Zabinski, and Lillian Zabinski; great grandchildren, Tucker and Isabella, Gabriella and Isaac, and Mateo; siblings, Gloria Moorhead, Collen Johnson, and Larry (and Faith) Rud; and many other relatives and friends.

She was preceded in death by her parents, Charlie and Thelma; brothers-in-law, Denny Moorhead, and Willie Johnson; nephew, Travis Johnson; and granddaughter-in-law, Jennifer Zabinski.

A Celebration of Life gathering for JoAnn will be held at a later date.