JoAnn Strege

JoAnn Strege, 80, Wahpeton, ND passed away on Monday, April 20, 2015 at Pioneer Senior Cottages, Breckenridge, MN. Funeral services will be on Friday, April 24, at 1:30 PM at Bethel Lutheran Church, Wahpeton, ND with Rev. Jule` Ballinger officiating. Visitation will be on Thursday from 5 PM to 7 PM with a 7 PM prayer service at Bethel Lutheran Church, Wahpeton. There will also be visitation one hour prior to the service at the church on Friday. Interment will be at Elk Creek Cemetery, Wyndmere, ND. Memorials are preferred to Pioneer Senior Cottages or CHI Health at Home (formerly Riveredge Hospice). Arrangements are entrusted to Vertin-Munson Funeral Home, Wahpeton.

JoAnn was born on June 14, 1934 to Herbert and Mary (McLeod) Bailey in Breckenridge, MN. She grew up and attended school in Danton Township near Wyndmere, ND until moving into Wyndmere in 1946 and graduating as valedictorian from Wyndmere High School in 1952.

JoAnn was united in marriage to James "Jim" Strege on November 14, 1954 at Wyndmere United Methodist Church while he was home on leave from the Army. The young bride then spent ten months in Germany with her new husband. The couple returned to Wyndmere after Jim's discharge in 1955. JoAnn then ran a boarding house out of their home where boarders became like family to them. In 1968, they moved their family to Barnesville, MN where Jim and JoAnn worked together for Texgas. In 1976 Jim's work moved the family to Sauk Centre, MN and three years later, Wyoming, MN where JoAnn worked for catalog stores and MN Department of Motor Vehicles in both towns. The opportunity came for the couple to move to Wahpeton, ND in 1985 and she worked for Montgomery Ward and later CJ Office Supply until retiring in the late 1990's.

JoAnn was a member of Bethel Lutheran Church and served in the Ladies Circle. She was a volunteer for many years in the St. Francis Hospital Gift Shop, and also was in SENDRW and helped in the Lutheran Social Services Refugee Relocation program.

JoAnn enjoyed doing crosswords, reading, and traveling. Her greatest times in her life were spent with her family being a mother and especially being with her grandchildren.

JoAnn is survived by her husband, James "Jim" Strege, Wahpeton, ND; her children, Mark Strege, Perham, MN, Mike (Deb) Strege, West Fargo, ND, Karen (Wes) Hendrickson, Wahpeton, ND, Kevin (Beckie) Strege, Bismarck, ND; her grandchildren, Angela (Kelly) Januszewski, Jenna (Jake) Lillehaug, Bennett (Fiancée Kelli DuBord) Strege, Kristine and Matthew Strege, Jacob (Liz) Hendrickson, Anna (Scott) Rippin, Larissa (Stas) Mialenko, Uliana (Sascha) Sigl, Katya (Yura) Khramovskaya, Timur Baisalov; her great-grandchildren, Jack and Smith Hendrickson, Jessica (Danny) Goodwin, Thomas Parks, Peter and Kaylee Rippin, Anastasia, Arseniy and Margo Mialenko, Oscar Sigl, Efim Khramovskiy; her great great-grandchildren, Skyler and Jordyn Parks-Lance; her siblings, John (Arlene) Bailey, Wyndmere, ND, Colin (Linda) Bailey, Wahpeton, ND, Harris (Fern) Bailey, Wahpeton, and Mary Ellen Bailey-Dace, Tucson, AZ.

She was preceded in death by her parents, Herbert and Mary Bailey, her grandson, Adam Strege, and her brother-in-law, Vern Dace.

The family would like to convey their thanks to the staff at Pioneer Senior Cottages and CHI Health at Home (Riveredge Hospice) for their excellent, loving care.