Joanne Avanelle Anderson was born to Daniel “Lloyd” and Lucille (Wick) Ferguson on May 14, 1936. She left this earth on September 8, 2024. She was very proud of her Scottish heritage.
She spent most of her years caring for others and what a privilege it was to care for her. She was raised on a farm near Adams, ND where she attended a one room school house. Her mother Lucille, a teacher, contracted rheumatic fever, which damaged her heart. Her mother passed when Joanne was just 13.
She married Allen Anderson on September 13, 1953 and together they had 6 children, 5 daughters and one son. The second tragic event of her life was the day her only son, Timothy, died in an accident on the farm in 1971.
She had a long career working at the Grafton State School, as it was known at that time. She became a strong advocate for the rights of the mentally handicapped. She became a prominent voice in the move to deinstitutionalize those capable of learning job skills and living a fuller life. In 1984 she was a guest at the White House as a representative from North Dakota attending the Tenth Anniversary of the National Committee, Arts with the Handicapped. She met with Senator Dorgan advocating for funding to educate and train those capable.
She also advocated for better pay and benefits for the Grafton State School workers and was a leader in a workers strike at the school. She served in various official roles and as a Director of the ND State Employees Association for several years. She retired after more than 30 years in a role she loved, training the workforce.
After retiring, mom loved gardening, remodeling, remodeling and remodeling her house, having all of the grandchildren to stay, and continued her love of reading. She enjoyed having a bakery or lunch with the ladies of Park River and sharing books.
She was the best back scratcher. She could make bread and never get the flour and gunk all over her hands.
She was deeply loved and survived by her children: Diane (Jerome) Aune, Debra Anderson, Donna Anderson, Cheryl Anderson and Beverly (Russell) Saggerson. She had 9 grandchildren: Sharon Beko, Shannon Aune, Sarah Jore, Troy Jelinek, Jessica Friezen, Zoe Flaten, Nick Saggerson, Brett Saggerson and Stephanie Saggerson. She also had 11 great grandchildren: Josiah Beko, Jameison Beko, Izabelle Aune, Jack Aune, Damien Jore, Benjamin Jore, Jaken Jore, Timothy (TJ) Friezen, Molly Friezen, Alexis Saggerson and Presley Saggerson. She is also survived by her only niece, Judy LaVoie.
Joanne was preceded in death by her parents, husband Allen and son Timothy.
Mom will be missed so very deeply. She loved and she was loved.
Memorial Services will be Monday, September 16, 2024 at 10:00 A.M. at the Our Saviour’s Lutheran Church, Park River, ND. Visitation will be for one hour prior to the service at the church. Inurnment will be at the Memorial Park Cemetery, Park River, ND.
She spent most of her years caring for others and what a privilege it was to care for her. She was raised on a farm near Adams, ND where she attended a one room school house. Her mother Lucille, a teacher, contracted rheumatic fever, which damaged her heart. Her mother passed when Joanne was just 13.
She married Allen Anderson on September 13, 1953 and together they had 6 children, 5 daughters and one son. The second tragic event of her life was the day her only son, Timothy, died in an accident on the farm in 1971.
She had a long career working at the Grafton State School, as it was known at that time. She became a strong advocate for the rights of the mentally handicapped. She became a prominent voice in the move to deinstitutionalize those capable of learning job skills and living a fuller life. In 1984 she was a guest at the White House as a representative from North Dakota attending the Tenth Anniversary of the National Committee, Arts with the Handicapped. She met with Senator Dorgan advocating for funding to educate and train those capable.
She also advocated for better pay and benefits for the Grafton State School workers and was a leader in a workers strike at the school. She served in various official roles and as a Director of the ND State Employees Association for several years. She retired after more than 30 years in a role she loved, training the workforce.
After retiring, mom loved gardening, remodeling, remodeling and remodeling her house, having all of the grandchildren to stay, and continued her love of reading. She enjoyed having a bakery or lunch with the ladies of Park River and sharing books.
She was the best back scratcher. She could make bread and never get the flour and gunk all over her hands.
She was deeply loved and survived by her children: Diane (Jerome) Aune, Debra Anderson, Donna Anderson, Cheryl Anderson and Beverly (Russell) Saggerson. She had 9 grandchildren: Sharon Beko, Shannon Aune, Sarah Jore, Troy Jelinek, Jessica Friezen, Zoe Flaten, Nick Saggerson, Brett Saggerson and Stephanie Saggerson. She also had 11 great grandchildren: Josiah Beko, Jameison Beko, Izabelle Aune, Jack Aune, Damien Jore, Benjamin Jore, Jaken Jore, Timothy (TJ) Friezen, Molly Friezen, Alexis Saggerson and Presley Saggerson. She is also survived by her only niece, Judy LaVoie.
Joanne was preceded in death by her parents, husband Allen and son Timothy.
Mom will be missed so very deeply. She loved and she was loved.
Memorial Services will be Monday, September 16, 2024 at 10:00 A.M. at the Our Saviour’s Lutheran Church, Park River, ND. Visitation will be for one hour prior to the service at the church. Inurnment will be at the Memorial Park Cemetery, Park River, ND.