Joanne Elizabeth Nelson, the daughter of Herbert and Anna (Augustson) Bjorkquist, was born on March 26, 1936, at Munising, Michigan. She passed away on Wednesday, September 4, 2024, at Arlington Place, Red Oak, Iowa, at the age of 88 years, 5 months, and 9 days.

Joanne lived in Munising until the age of nine, when the family moved to Pomeroy, Iowa. In 1954, she graduated from Pomeroy High School. Joanne's father Herbert accepted a call to pastor the Fremont Lutheran Church at Nyman, south of Red Oak, and this is where she met Norman. Joanne attended Luther College in Wahoo, Nebraska, for two years and she then taught school in Gretna, Nebraska, for two years, finishing her teaching degree at Gustavus Adolphus in St. Peter, Minnesota. On June 11, 1960, Joanne and Norman were united in marriage at Fremont Lutheran Church, with her father officiating the wedding. They lived their entire married life of 64 years in Red Oak, where they raised their three sons. From 1976 to 1994, Joanne taught 4th grade in Essex, Iowa. Joanne loved music and served as the organist at Bethlehem Lutheran Church in Red Oak for 50 years. She played for countless weddings, funerals, and choir rehearsals, while still finding time to teach piano lessons. Joanne spent hours sewing, knitting and crocheting, and made baby blankets for all her grandchildren and great-grandchildren. Joanne and Norman were very sociable and loved to play bridge, travel and spend time with the many friends they developed over the years. She enjoyed playing couples golf with Norman on Friday nights, and in retirement, loved attending water aerobics with her friends at the Montgomery County Family YMCA, followed by coffee. For 23 years, Joanne and Norman wintered in Mesa, Arizona. She was a longtime member of  P.E.O. Joanne was a gentle and kind-hearted person who loved to serve others.

Joanne was preceded in death by her parents; husband Norman on August 24, 2024, sister-in-law, Eleanor Bjorkquist; brother-in-law, Allen Nelson; and sisters-in-law: Nadine Liljedahl and Lois Gilman.

Joanne is survived by three sons: Steve (Dana) Nelson of Urbandale, IA, Mark (Laurie) Nelson of Prole, IA and Chris (Cathy) Nelson of Atlantic, IA; 8 grandchildren: Greg (Alyssa) Nelson, Ryan (Emily) Nelson, Rachel (Jacob) Powell, Kelsey Nelson, Jessica (Nate) Evans, Madison (Garrett) King, Ben (Bre) Nelson and Kyle (Grace) Nelson; 11 great-grandchildren: Cambryn, Case, Drake, Meyer, Callen, Emery, Elliott, Samuel, Aidan, Elouise and Elaina; and brother, David Bjorkquist of Minneapolis, MN; nieces, nephews, other relatives and friends.

May God bless her memory and give strength to those who mourn.

Funeral Service will be held on Monday, September 9, 2024, at 10:30 a.m.
At Bethlehem Lutheran Church, Red Oak, Iowa
Burial at Evergreen Cemetery, Red Oak, Iowa

Visitation with the family will be held on Sunday, September 8, 2024, at Bethlehem Lutheran Church in Red Oak, from 2:00 to 4:00 p.m.

Memorials may be directed to Bethlehem Lutheran Church, Red Oak, IA.

Sellergren-Lindell-DeMarce Funeral Home is in charge of Joanne's arrangements and serving her family.