Joan Nott, age 85, of Valley City, ND, passed into the arms of Jesus on October 12th, surrounded by family at SMP Health-St. Raphael in Valley City following a long battle with dementia/Alzheimer’s. Services will be on Sunday, October 25th at Dacotah Pavilion, Chautauqua Park, Valley City, ND. Visitation will be from 1:00 – 2:00, and the Celebration of Life Service will follow at 2:00 pm. A private burial will be held in Rogers, Minnesota. An online guestbook will be available at www.lerudmathias.com. Joan’s family has entrusted Traditions Funeral Services of Valley City to handle her funeral arrangements.

Joan Leslie Lund was born on September 17, 1941, in Madison, Minnesota, she was the child of Earl and Lyla Lund. She graduated from Clarkfield (MN) High School, completed her Secretarial Certificate at the Minneapolis Business College, received her associate degree from Willmar Community College, and earned her B.S. in social work from Moorhead State University. Joan was the loving mother of six children (Bonita, Danette, John, Joel, Jody, and Daniel) who adored her greatly. Despite being a single mom, she provided, encouraged, and challenged each of them. Joan worked herself out of dependence by completing her bachelor’s degree in social work at the age of 43. She then served the very same people in the same situations as she had endured. This achievement as a single mom was admired by her kids greatly.

Joan was a fierce advocate of those on the margins, including a dedicated career in social work in Barnes County and Minnesota. Her hobby was others. She lavished love, respect, and care on those she encountered. She loved to read, take long drives, watch movies and educational programs, study history, and engage in her Norwegian heritage. She loved all types of music, particularly worship music, and regularly sang in the choirs at her church. Her place was always full of books, and a PBS program was likely on her television. Joan was a lifelong student of history; she read, watched, and learned about it at every opportunity. A joy in her later years was at Barnes County Historical Museum. She volunteered there for eight years and loved sharing history and greeting visitors. She also wrote editorials in the Times Record. Joan was a committed writer of newsletters and cards to extended family. She sometimes humorously overshared about her kids, and she always, ALWAYS, closed by talking about Jesus and what he meant to her and them. It was a hallmark of her correspondence. Joan was a constant fixture in church throughout her life, most recently at First Assembly of God Church. She faithfully served where needed, sang with a loud and beautiful voice, and encouraged those around her. Her faith was always in Jesus, and it transcended any building or church location. She received His love and forgiveness in 1970 and cherished it for the rest of her life. Her faith was a real, seven-days-a-week relationship, and she regularly shared it with others; God’s love and presence were real and necessary for her to lean on throughout her life. Joan was a resilient woman of focus and strength for herself and her family.

For the last three years, she had the privilege of being cared for at the SMP Health–St. Raphael Care Center. Countless caregivers and staff blessed her life at her most challenging moment. They comforted and supported her family as they witnessed the care she received and the staff’s love throughout her stay.

She is survived by her children Bonita Henderson, Danette (Kevin) Thayer, John (Dora) Nott, Jody (Dave) Taylor, and Daniel Nott; grandchildren Zachary, Erin, Jon, Kirstin, Eli, Ellie, Micheal, Alixx, Jordan, Hunter, Clay, and Luke; great-grandchildren Marley, Wyatt, Maverick, Blake, Jace, Sapphire, Riley, and Valen; siblings Allan (Cathie) Lund and Ed (Gail) Lund; and many nieces and nephews.

Joan was preceded in death by her parents Earl and Lyla Lund, her sister Nancy Williamson and brother-in-law James Williamson, and her son Joel Nott.

In place of flowers, we suggest a donation to the Alzheimer’s Association , Alzheimer’s Association , or HIA Hospice of Fargo, ND, www.hiahealth.org.