Bobbie Jo Willits, 79, of Fargo, ND, passed away on Friday, March 20, 2026, at Good Samaritan Society in Fargo.

Bobbie Jo Willits was born on November 19, 1946, in Fargo, ND, to Arnt and Katherine (Hanson) Nelson. She attended Emerson Smith and Jefferson Elementary Schools, Agassiz Middle School, and graduated from Fargo Central High School in 1964. On February 10, 1968, she married Charles Edward Willits at St. John Lutheran Church, a place they called home and where they raised their family.

Bobbie Jo's professional journey began at the International Milling Company in Minneapolis before she returned to Fargo. She later worked as a secretary at Gamble Robinson, but her focus soon shifted to raising their three children. For 20 years, Bobbie Jo ran a beloved in-home daycare, a job that filled her with joy, as her love for children was boundless. Later, she spent 13 years working as a housekeeper at Riverview Place, where she cherished her time connecting with residents.

In her personal life, Bobbie Jo had a love for embroidery, often enjoying the craft with her sister Jeanette and daughter Ashley during their summers together. She also loved baking, and reading a good murder mystery book at the end of a long day. Spending time at Turtle Lake was the heart of her happiest moments, where she spent her life creating cherished memories with her family.

Some of Bobbie Jo's fondest moments included baking treats for her children- a tradition she continued well into their adulthood-spending time at the lake and embracing every opportunity to be a mother. She was affectionately known as "Momma Willits" to Ashley's sorority sisters, as she and Charles took an active role in their lives during college and beyond.

Memorials are preferred to St. Jude Children's Hospital.

Bobbie Jo is survived by her children, Mark Willits (Heidi), Brian Willits (Becky), Ashley Thompson (Chad); sister, Jeanette (Dean) Guttormson; grandchildren, Brennan (Cheyanne) Willits, Brielle Willits, Alex Dally (Kelsey), Erick Dally, Isaac Dally, Cooper Thompson, Owen Thompson; great-grandchild, Wrenley Willits; and many nieces and nephews.

She was preceded in death by her husband, Charles; her parents; her son, Christopher Todd Willits; and granddaughter, Adelyn Thompson.

Memorial Service: 2:00pm, Monday, March 30, 2026 with a visitation from 1-2 at St. John Lutheran Church, Fargo, ND.

Prayer Service: 7:00pm, Sunday, March 29, 2026 with visitation from 5-7pm at Hanson-Runsvold Funeral Home, Fargo, ND.

Burial: Moorhead Memorial Gardens, Moorhead, MN.

Arrangements entrusted to Hanson-Runsvold Funeral Home - Fargo, ND