JoAnn Nelson, 71, Karlstad, MN passed away Wednesday, December 26, 2018 at Altru Hospital, Grand Forks, ND surrounded by her loving family.

Memorial service will be held on Saturday, January 5 ^th 2019 at 11:00am at First Lutheran Church in Karlstad, MN with Pastor Caitlin Jensen Officiating. Burial will be held later in the spring at Karlstad City Cemetery.

JoAnn May Nelson was born September 26, 1947 in Marshall County, MN the daughter of Arnold and Clarinda (Rud) Cormier. She was raised at Newfolden, MN and attended school in Newfolden. JoAnn worked as a Nanny in the Grafton, ND area for about 15 years.

On October 18, 1968 she was united in marriage to Bennie Johnson at Karlstad, MN. To this union 5 children Clarinda, Bonnie, Bradley, Wade and Wendy. The couple made their home in Karlstad where she worked on area farms as a potato harvester. She also worked at the Karlstad health care center in the Laundry Department. Following her sister Cindy's passing, JoAnn took in and raised her four children Allen, Linda, Travis and Jesse.

On October 22, 1998 she was united in marriage to Arthur Nelson at Middle River, MN. The couple made their home in Strandquist, MN.

JoAnn loved to share her passion of fishing with her grandchildren at their secret spot in Argyle, MN. She also enjoyed crocheting, scrap booking, playing pinochle, dice, board games, and country music especially George Jones. In the later years she spent many hours meeting people online where she made many special friends.  Most of all she loved the time spent with family and treasured the many photos taken over the years. She was known as "Momma Jo" and "Grandma Jo" to many.

JoAnn is survived by her loving children Clarinda Johnson of Karlstad, MN, Bonnie (Paul Berggren) Johnson of Strandquist, MN, Bradley (Ann) Johnson of Karlstad, MN, Wade Johnson of Lake Bronson, MN, Wendy (John Westman) Johnson of Thief River Falls, MN; step-children Dawn, Debbie, Todd, Robert, Kimberly, Lisa; grandchildren Tyler, Brianna (Peter), Tori, Augustas, Anthony, Mackenzie and Michaun; great-grandchildren Zoie, George and Henry; 12 step-grandchildren and 8 great step-grandchildren; siblings Elsie (Howard) Norman of Duluth, MN, and LeRay (Cindy) Cormier of Drayton, ND, along with several nieces and nephews; sister-in-law Delores Westerlund of Middle River, MN and special family of Greg and Jennifer Olson.

She is preceded in death by her husbands; parents; granddaughter Amanda Oistad, siblings Caroline Dolney, Adrian Cormier, and Cindy Cormier.