Joanne Hughes

Joanne Hughes, 64, of Bismarck, passed away May 1, 2023.

A Celebration of Life will be held on Thursday, May 11, 2023, from 4:00-7:00 PM at Buehler-Larson Funeral Home, Mandan, with Prayer Service at 7:00 PM.

Joanne Arlis Hughes was born June 6, 1958, in Hibbing, Minnesota, to John and Marie (Toupin) Hughes. She grew up in Marble, Minnesota, and graduated from Greenway High School in Colerain, MN, in 1976. Joanne served in the US Army from 1977 to 1980 as a Military Policeman and was stationed at Schofield Barracks in Germany. After her release from Active Duty, she returned to the states where she drove trucks in Sidney, Montana, during the oil boom in the 1980s. Soon after, she was hired on with BNSF Railway, spent several years as a Brakeman, completed the Engineer program, and spent 28 years employed with BNSF. As a locomotive engineer, she was regarded as one of the most aggressive engineers to run the train out of Mandan. She loved all types of music and art, hanging paintings and pictures that friends had made all around her home. She spent her free time creating necklaces and bracelets from beads. Joanne loved to travel, drive fast, and watch hockey. She traveled every chance she could, from New York to Las Vegas. Her favorite team was the Pittsburgh Penguins. After retiring, it was her dream to take her cat, Ink, on road trips once she was no longer between surgeries and doctors’ appointments. On Monday, May 1, 2023, she passed away at home with her son and her cat, Ink, by her side after battling rheumatoid arthritis, heart problems, and immense pain for decades.

Joanne is survived by her son, Leo; siblings, Peggy, Pat, Kathy, Mary Jo, Mike, Susan, Elizabeth, Jean, and Jane; dozens of nieces, nephews and many other family and friends.

Joanne was preceded in death by her mother and father; siblings, Sally and Jeanette; great uncle, Jack Bellino; and friend, Francis.

In lieu of flowers, memorials may be made to the care of Leo Hughes and family.