Joan Ione Klemetson

Joan Ione Klemetson, 83, passed away Tuesday, December 11, at Lilac Homes in Moorhead, Minnesota.

Joan was born in Hope, North Dakota on September 12, 1935 to Victor and Louise (Scharske) Wennerstrom. She grew up on the family farm near Hope along with her five sisters and two brothers, providing an active childhood she greatly enjoyed.

Upon graduating from Colgate High School she completed a two-year standard college degree from Jamestown College and taught for a couple of years in rural North Dakota schools. Being an adventurous soul, however, she went back and got her bachelors degree and used it to teach in a variety of places, including: Goose Bay, Labrador; Seward, Alaska; and Hahn, Germany. She enjoyed the unique remoteness of Goose Bay, took up skiing in Alaska, and used Hahn as a base for exploring most of Europe. She also managed to get to Egypt and ride a camel there.

In 1967 she was about to accept a teaching position in Liberia, but at the last minute she decided on Great Falls, Montana, where she met Richard, her husband of 50 years. She spent the next year teaching in Colorado Springs, Colorado before moving to Fargo and raising a family there. She ended her career teaching at the Longfellow School, retiring in 1998.

After retiring, Joan greatly enjoyed traveling with Richard. They were able to visit Hawaii, Banff, Costa Rica, Mexico’s copper canyon, Columbia, Norway and sail through the Panama Canal. She continued her enjoyment of children by spoiling her grandkids with lots of loving attention.

Joan is survived by her husband, Richard (Dick), her children: Bret (Diana), Amy (Juan Manuel), her grandchildren: Levie, Calvin, Nicolas and Adriana, and two sisters Judy and Jeri.

We would like to acknowledge the wonderful and caring staff and management at Lilac Homes for taking such good care of Joan.

In lieu of flowers, please consider a donation to the Alzheimer's Association at www.alz.org .