Joan Kalbakdalen, of Red Lake Falls, MN, passed away Wednesday, May 23, 2024, at Hillcrest Senior Living, with her loving family by her side, at the age of 88.

Funeral Services will be held at 2:00 PM on Wednesday, May 29, 2024, at Johnson Funeral Service in Thief River Falls, MN, with her son, Jeff Kalbakdalen officiating.  A private burial will follow at Oak Grove Cemetery, Red Lake Falls, MN.

Visitation will take place one hour prior to the funeral service on Wednesday at Johnson Funeral Service.

Joan Kalbakdalen (Ford) was born on May 27, 1935, in Red Lake Falls, MN to Joseph R. Ford and Eleanor (Gustafson) Ford. She was baptized and confirmed at St. Mary's Catholic Church in Red Lake Falls, MN. Joan graduated as valedictorian from Lafayette High School in 1953.

On January 18, 1954, she was united in marriage to Maynard Kalbakdalen. They lived for a short time in Glendale, CA and Cando, ND, eventually returning to spend most of their lives in Red Lake Falls.

Joan worked at Detroiter Mobile Homes, St. John's Hospital, Thibert's Sports, Wilcox Furniture, eventually retiring from DigiKey when she was 77.

Joan enjoyed spending time with her loved ones, Minnesota Vikings, country music, going to garage sales, and practicing her faith. She loved to write poetry, winning an award in 1987 from The World of Poetry.

Joan is survived by her sons Jeff (Diane) Kalbakdalen, Red Lake Falls and Dan (Molly) Kalbakdalen, Fargo, and daughters Debra (Frank) Moran, Gail Podenski, and Lisa (Mark) Violette all of Red Lake Falls, and a sister Carol Smith of Memphis, TN.

Joan was the proud grandmother of 14 grandchildren: Carmen Moran, Shaun Moran, Sarah Bray, Leah Halvorson, Tara Lake, Jenny Ramsey, Tamara Cudmore, Rachel Kalbakdalen, Corey Violette, Ryan Violette, Adam Violette, Angela Violette, Brianna Kalbakdalen, and Melissa Soderlund; 31 great grandchildren, and 1 great-great grandchild.

She is preceded in death by her husband Maynard, son Robert, son-in-law Tony Podenski, brothers Earl Ford, Jack Ford, and David Ford. Twin grandsons Daniel and Joseph Kalbakdalen, great grandsons Elijah and Max Ramsey.

The family would like to thank Hospice of the Red River Valley, Hillcrest Senior Living, and Johnson Funeral Service for helping Joan and her family through this difficult time.