Joanne L. Vihstadt
April 7, 1942 ~ November 7, 2023
Age 81
Joanne was born in Grafton ND, the second of four children, to Andrew and Florence Rogalla. Her father passed away in 1949 of brain cancer. Her mother remarried, Victor Rogalla, and together they had one child, Tim.
In 1953, the family moved to Grand Forks, ND. There, she attended St. Mary’s school through the eighth grade. She then attended St. James Highschool where she graduated in 1960. At both schools, Joanne was in drama with a number of leading parts. She sang and played both the guitar and accordion.
In the summers of 1957 and 1958, Joanne and a life-long friend, Mary Sue Johnson, worked in the office for two weeks at St. Michaels Indian Mission.
Joanne graduated from St. Joseph’s School of Nursing in 1963 as a Registered Nurse. After beginning employment, at St. Michaels Hospital, in Grand Forks, she moved to Kenosha, WI in 1964 and was on the staff of St. Catherines Hospital there. She followed her sister, Darlene, to Rochester, MN in 1965 and began working in orthopedics at the Methodist Hospital.
Joanne was introduced to her future husband in Rochester. He was employed in Grand Forks, as a bank examiner for FDIC, and was visiting his parents who lived on Lake Zumbro, 16 miles from Rochester. On their first date, they went to the lake home and Joe’s mother asked if she sewed. She said yes. Her future mother-in-law asked if she would hem a dress for her. As Joe recalls, all were enjoying Manhattans. From that day on, Joanne and her future in-laws spent many enjoyable hours together and were very close. In fact, Joe told her that he probably would not have been named in their inheritance if not for her. Joanne remained in Rochester until shortly before their marriage.
On October 19, 1968, after her fiance had been discharged honorably from his military obligation, Joanne and Joe were married at St. Mary’s Catholic Church in Grand Forks, ND. After their three week plus honeymoon, they lived in Grand Forks where Joanne was a registered nurse. Their oldest two children were born there.
In 1972, Joe accepted a Vice President position in a bank in Crookston, MN. They moved there where Joanne was very involved in the community and continued her occupation at the local hospital as well as tending to their children. Andrew, their youngest, was born there in 1976.
In 1978, Joe accepted a bank President’s position in Breckenridge, MN and their family of five moved there. In addition to attending the families needs, Joanne continued her nursing occupation at the local hospital.
The family moved to Minot, ND in 1982, where both Joe and Joanne continued their chosen occupations until 1988.
Their final area move was to Bellevue, NE where Joe was employed in banking and Joanne in nursing. She continued in orthopedics at the Methodist Hospital for seven years. After several years, Joanne finalized her nursing career as a care giver for the Notre Dame Sisters. She retired from that in 2007 but remained very active with them as an Associate.
Joanne was very proud of how well their three children turned out with all three graduating from college and having meaningful careers. She was a very giving and caring person with her seven grandchildren.
Travel was always a very large part of the Vihstadt family. While raising their children, they often times traveled various parts of the United States with the children. Without the children along, they visited several Islands, Mexico and went on ocean cruises until 1994 when all had graduated from high school. At that time, they began expanded travel to fourteen European Countries and eventually traveled about three months a year both in the USA and other destinations.
Joanne had a wonderful health record until her decline in 2018. In their first 50 years of marriage, she was only hospitalized the three times with childbirth.
Joanne moved to a memory care facility in June 2021 where she left for her final rewards.
Survived by her husband of 55 years James Joseph “Joe” Sr.; sons James J. Jr. (Debbie), Andrew (Katie Grindel, significant other) and daughter Kim Wilson (Sam); seven grandchildren; sisters Darlene Dyrud (Harlan, deceased), Carol Denning (Bruce), brothers David Rogalla (Marie) and Tim Rogalla.
Visitation: Sunday, November 12, 2023, 2:00~4:00 p.m. with Wake Service and Nurse Honor Guard at 4:00 p.m., at Bellevue Memorial Funeral Chapel.
Mass of Christian Burial: Monday, November 13, 11:00 a.m. at St. Matthew the Evangelist Catholic Church, 12330 S 36th Street, Bellevue, Nebraska followed by
Committal Service: Omaha National Cemetery, 12:30 p.m.
To view a live broadcast of the Wake and Honor Guard services, click the link below.
https://boxcast.tv/view/joanne-l-vihstadt—wake-duarlbgjtlips1j6qil3
To view a live broadcast of the Mass, click the link below.
https://boxcast.tv/view/joanne-l-vihstadt—mass-udg2prs65nsrttnphqio
Memorials suggested to the College of the Ozarks (www.cofo.edu) and St. Matthew the Evangelist Catholic Church.
15 Comments
Heartfelt condolences on the passing of this beautiful lady. May you find peace and comfort from her lifelong faith. You are all in my thoughts and prayers.
Tina, you have been an unbelievably wonderful friend of Kim. As the years have passed, I have also been blessed with your kindness always.
Sincere Sympathy, prayers & lots of hugs of a life well lived with her beautiful husband. Joe was a very dedicated husband well she traveled through life! Helen from Mazeppa, Minnesota
Helen,
Great to have met you. I appreciate your kind words. Hope to see you again before venturing into the next phase of life. You do a fantastic job with your volunteerism.
My condolences to Joe and the entire family. I was so sad to hear of Joanne’s passing as I have known her since grade school at St. Mary’s School in Grand Forks, ND. I counted her as one of my best friends and continued communicating until her passing. The last time I saw her was at our high school reunion. She was a sweetheart and caring person and will be missed by all who knew her. She’s now at rest in God’s loving arms. May she rest in peace. I’m offering prayers for her husband, siblings, children and grandchildren.
Sylvia,
Thanks for your wonderful words. I know that Joanne considered you one of her most valued friends. Nice to have seen you again after having met you, in California, on our honeymoon. May you return to good health in the ensuing years.
We were blessed to be her neighbors and thankful for the times we got to visit with her. May she rest in eternal peace. Love and Prayers, The Huffmans
Thanks for your kind words. I remember well the day Joanne and I met the Huffmans. I scolded Mike, a few days later, for throwing out the margaritas on the lawn which actually caused a dead spot. Lori, you went through this with your mother so I do not have to tell you how sad it is to watch someone wither with this horrible condition.
Our heartfelt sympathy to you Joe and your family.
I met Joanne while we both were working at Methodist Hospital.
We became immediate friends.
Sharing our families, faith and most importantly our love of nursing.
She is greatly missed .
Jan, thanks for traveling here from Seattle. Sadly, I did not get information to you quickly. Yes, you were a wonderful friend of Joannes since you met in 1989. May you and Rex have many more years of happiness ahead.
We met Joanne as Joe and Joanne were our neighbors across the street from us. Joanne was such a wonderful sweet person. May she rest in peace and shine her love down. Prayers to Joe and his family.
What wonderful neighbors you have been since we moved to our present home in 2014. I admire both of you so much and thank you for all you have done for us (especially me). Jan, I could not have returned home, and lived alone, for the first 30 days after returning from my accident. You don’t know how many times I tell people of your wonderful generosity.
I have known Joe since we went to St. Thomas college together. Since then we have had the privilege of visiting them on a number of occasions and have gotten to know Joanne as the kind and sweet person she was.
Yes, 1964 is a long time ago. As you remember, Bill, I cooked a lot of spaghetti for my two roommates, and multiple friends that stopped by, in my Junior year at the University of St. Thomas. I have had the opportunity to keep in close contact since. One of the pictures at Joanne’s wake and funeral was of us drinking the bottle of champagne you and others gave us at our wedding October 19, 1968. The picture was taken on our first anniversary when Joanne was in the hospital with our four day old son, James.
Joe. …this is Lou and Jane, your old neighbors from Bellevue. We are so sorry to hear about Joanne . She was so very kind and a special person. Our prayers are with you and your family.
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