Joan Fjeldahl

Plaza

Joan Fjeldahl, 76, Minot, formerly of Plaza, ND, died Thursday, July 20, 2023, at Abbott Northwestern Hospital in Minneapolis, MN.

Joan Irene Janz was born on June 24, 1947, a daughter of Alfred and Irene (Mikkelson) Janz in Minot, ND. She was raised on the family farm in Hiddenwood Township, Ward County, south of Makoti, ND, and attended Makoti Public School, graduating in 1965. She attended Bernel’s Hairstyling School in Minot, ND.

On July 24, 1969, Joan was united in marriage to Nolan Fjeldahl at St. Paul’s Lutheran Church, Makoti. The couple made their home on a farm near Plaza, ND, where they raised four children, cattle, chickens and small grains.

Joan was a member of Spring Valley Lutheran Church, Plaza, while residing in rural Plaza for many years. She was a previous member of St. Paul’s Lutheran Church, Makoti, and is a current member of Zion Lutheran Church, Berthold. She was baptized and confirmed at St. Paul’s Lutheran Church. Joan was actively involved in the churches she attended and helped with all aspects of the church functions. She was the pianist for Spring Valley for 33 years, taught Sunday School and was an active member of the Ladies Aid. Joan and Nolan were a strong musical duo; Joan served as the pianist and Nolan the vocalist for about 300 funerals.

Joan worked as a beautician at Beyer’s Beauty Shop in Parshall, bank teller at People’s Bank, Makoti and a childcare worker at Country Crossing Daycare, Plaza, childcare worker at Kids Academy, Berthold, and a cashier at Plaza Hardware, Plaza.

Joan loved playing piano and listening to all kinds of instruments. She loved to Waltz with Nolan at parties and community events. Spending time with her children and their families was important to Joan. She especially enjoyed time with her grandchildren and attended every concert, athletic event, program and activity between Granville, Berthold, Bismarck, Plaza and Watford City. She enjoyed tending to her flowers, garden and yard. Joan enjoyed camping with family and close friends; she loved spending time outdoors in the country. Joan particularly liked chickens and selling eggs to neighbors. She diligently helped manage the farm, driving trucks and tractors. She enjoyed her special time visiting, playing cards and game nights with family and close friends. Joan always enjoyed sharing stories and laughing with friends at the Plaza Senior Citizen Center.

Joan is survived by her husband of 53 years, Nolan; children: Andrew (Jana) Fjeldahl, Cynthia (Kevin) Cross, Timothy (Erin) Fjeldahl, Karen (Brian) Boehm; 10 grandchildren: Tyler (Tara) Fjeldahl, Mychal (Lukas LaMotte) Fjeldahl, Seth Fjeldahl (Kenzie Kurtz), Caleb Cross, Allison Cross, Jaylen (Misha) Fjeldahl and Ziah, William Langford, Faith Langford, Marrah Langford, Weston Boehm. Siblings: Blaine (Leona) Janz, Donald (Beverly) Janz, Susan (Bob) Erickson, Jodi (Michael) McKinzie; several nieces, nephews and cousins also survive.

Joan was preceded in death by her parents.

Funeral Service: Monday, July 24, 2023, at 10 a.m. at Spring Valley Lutheran Church (Makoti Threshing Grounds), Makoti, ND.

Internment: Spring Valley Cemetery, Plaza, ND.

Thompson-Larson Funeral Home, Minot.

Published by The Minot Daily News, July 22, 2023.