Joan Ward, 77, of Scranton, ND died on Tuesday, March 23, 2010 at the St. Alexius Hospital in Bismarck, ND. Funeral services for Joan will be at 11:00 a.m. on Saturday, March 27, 2010 at the Peace Lutheran Church in Scranton. Pastor Mary Peterson will officiate with burial to follow at the Haley Cemetery, rural Scranton. There will be a Family and Friends service on Friday, March 26, 2010 at the Krebsbach Funeral Home Chapel beginning at 7:00 p.m.
Joan Peterson was born on November 19, 1932 in Gascoyne, ND, the daughter of Leonard and Emma (Grua) Peterson. She was raised and educated in Gascoyne and then attended Scranton High School, where she graduated in 1950. While on a 4-H trip to Fargo, Joan met Ed Ward with whom she was united in marriage at the Peace Lutheran Church in Scranton on February 14, 1952. After their marriage, Ed and Joan made their home on the Ward family farm and ranch near Haley, ND, where they raised four children; Alan, Judy, Tom and Linda.
Joan pursued many different hobbies over the years and gave 100% to all her endeavors. She seemed to display a particular talent for every one she took up. She especially loved working in her flowerbeds and gardens where she shared many of her perennials and produce with her family and friends. She spent countless hours sewing, often late into the nights, crafting everything imaginable, including quilts for her grandchildren and several which she donated to the Missions. She raised a wide variety of animals on the farm from chickens, sheep and pigs to geese, ducks and peacocks. She even created pillows for family and the Missions from the feathers and down she collected from her animals. Joan was as vital to the running of the farm as Ed and worked side by side with him for over 40 years.
Joan was known for her caring personality, great hospitality and phenomenal baking; Elephant Tracks and Doughauts where particular family favorites. She even baked and decorated wedding cakes for family and friends.
Joan is survived by her three children; son, Alan Ward of Scranton, ND; daughter and son-in-law Judy and Jack Hokanson of Lewistown, MT; and daughter, Linda Ward of Lincoln, NE; grandchildren, Katie Hokanson, Krista Munier, Laura (Andy) Shields, Loren Engesser and Alex "Buck" Hokanson; one great-granddaughter, Ashtynn Shields; sister, Gen (Ken) Fisher of Scranton; brothers, Donald Peterson of Gascoyne, ND and Vernon (Marlene) Peterson of Gascoyne, ND; many nieces, nephews and cousins; and was soon-expecting a great-grandson Shields.
She was preceded in death by her parents Leonard and Emma (Grua) Peterson; son, Tom; husband, Ed; and sister-in-law, JoAnn Peterson. Memorials are suggested to the St. Johns Lutheran Church of Haley or giver's preference.
Krebsbach Funeral Service of Bowman in charge of the arrangements.