Joan Johnson

Joan Johnson, 88, New Salem, passed away December 11, 2022, surrounded by her loving family.

Memorial service will be held at 10:30 AM on Wednesday, December 28, 2022, at Peace Church in New Salem. Burial of cremains will take place at the Sims Cemetery in the Spring. Visitation will be one hour prior to the service at the church.

Joan Knudson was born May 16, 1934 to Carl and Roxie Knudson, Almont. She graduated High School in Almont and attended Dickinson College. She married Duane Johnson on June 10, 1953. They farmed together for many years. Joan was active in her church as an organist and a member of the women’s guild and choir. She loved to knit, quilt, make rugs, fish, and garden. Her special hobby was raising numerous animals on the farm including peacocks, sheep, goats, ducks, pheasants, orphaned pigs, and baby colts.

Sometimes you could see them running around the yard which brought enjoyment to Duane in his later years. Joan’s loyalty and love to Duane was evident in the way she took care of him until his death. Her strength never wavered as she embraced life’s struggles and joys.

Joan is survived by her three daughters; Pam (Terry) Karch New Salem, Jan Syvrud (Dave Wisdom) Mandan, Mary (Gerald) Kautzman also of Mandan, and her son Paul (Candace) Johnson New Salem. Eight grandchildren; Jessica (Reggie) Sletten, Hebron; Joseph (Hattie) Johnson, Mandan; Tammy (Don) Boehm, New Salem; Jason Karch, New Salem; Sam Syvrud, Mandan; Courtney (Jon Lang) Kautzman, Mandan; Zachary Kautzman, Brooklyn, NY; Emily Kautzman, Duluth, MN; Ten great grandchildren Robert, Bailey, Cyrus, Linus, Kaleb, Anastasia, Aunin, Jack, Max, and Keegan. One great great grandchild, Leobold. Her sister Ramona Sorneson, brother and sister-in-law Joel and Donna Johnson, and numerous nieces and nephews; sister-in-law, Doris Knudson.

She was preceded in death by her parents, her husband Duane and her daughter Marcia who passed in 1970. Two sisters and brothers in law Rita (Marvin) Hewitt, Arizona; Colleen (Wilbert) Heid, New Salem; and one brother Clifford, Almont; and brother-in-law Clay Sorneson, Bismarck.

The family would like to thank the staff at Elm Crest Manor for the wonderful care Joan received especially during her greatest time of need.