Joanna Bekkedal Hersel was born in La Crosse, WI on July 16, 1923 to Lloyd and Clara (Sherry) Bekkedal. She was raised in Westby, WI. She was active in the family tobacco business growing up. She was Baptized and Confirmed Lutheran at the Coon Prairie Lutheran Church in Westby. She graduated from High school in 1941. She furthered her education at the University of Wisconsin Stout, where she studied Home Economics. She also studied in the field of stenography and was able to apply her skills in this area when she took a job as administrative assistant to the General at Camp McCoy, a US Military Post in Sparta, WI. After a few years, she took a job in the corporate office for the Trane Corporation.
In 1953, Joanna traveled west to visit and help some of her relatives. She found Tioga through family connections. She took a job with a local Tioga attorney and soon after met, Oliver Hersel. The couple married on January 1, 1954 in St. Paul, Minnesota and made Tioga their home. Together, they raised their four children. Joanna, as a mother, worked when the children were a bit older as a teacher's aide at Hillcrest Elementary and also was a substitute school bus driver. Both tasks allowed her to be connected with her children as they grew up.
Joanna was a member of First Lutheran Church, a member of the local "Beta Sigma Phi" Sorority, and a past member of Eastern Star. She had a passion for music and loved to play the piano. She was a terrific seamstress, and loved to read. Joanna was devoted to her husband, Oliver, their children, and her grandchildren.
She is survived by her children: Jon (Paulette) Hersel of Tioga, ND; Kris (Arlin) Polsfut, of Mandan, ND; Anne (Jack) Kane, of Helena, MT; and Dean (Patty) Hersel, of Tioga, ND. Grandchildren: Alissa (Nick) Foss, Kylie Hersel, Chelsea Hersel, Samantha Wiedmer, Ashley (Seth) Pomeroy, Dani Kane, and Cassie Kane. Great grandchildren: Ashlyn Foss and Bode Auck. Sister: Tekla Bekkedal.
She was preceded in death by her parents and husband Oliver.
Joanna Bekkedal Hersel was born in La Crosse, WI on July 16, 1923 to Lloyd and Clara (Sherry) Bekkedal. She was raised in Westby, WI. She was active in the family tobacco business growing up. She was Baptized and Confirmed Lutheran at the Coon Prairie Lutheran Church in Westby. She graduated from High school in 1941. She furthered her education at the University of Wisconsin Stout, where she studied Home Economics. She also studied in the field of stenography and was able to apply her skills in this area when she took a job as administrative assistant to the General at Camp McCoy, a US Military Post in Sparta, WI. After a few years, she took a job in the corporate office for the Trane Corporation.
In 1953, Joanna traveled west to visit and help some of her relatives. She found Tioga through family connections. She took a job with a local Tioga attorney and soon after met, Oliver Hersel. The couple married on January 1, 1954 in St. Paul, Minnesota and made Tioga their home. Together, they raised their four children. Joanna, as a mother, worked when the children were a bit older as a teacher's aide at Hillcrest Elementary and also was a substitute school bus driver. Both tasks allowed her to be connected with her children as they grew up.
Joanna was a member of First Lutheran Church, a member of the local "Beta Sigma Phi" Sorority, and a past member of Eastern Star. She had a passion for music and loved to play the piano. She was a terrific seamstress, and loved to read. Joanna was devoted to her husband, Oliver, their children, and her grandchildren.
She is survived by her children: Jon (Paulette) Hersel of Tioga, ND; Kris (Arlin) Polsfut, of Mandan, ND; Anne (Jack) Kane, of Helena, MT; and Dean (Patty) Hersel, of Tioga, ND. Grandchildren: Alissa (Nick) Foss, Kylie Hersel, Chelsea Hersel, Samantha Wiedmer, Ashley (Seth) Pomeroy, Dani Kane, and Cassie Kane. Great grandchildren: Ashlyn Foss and Bode Auck. Sister: Tekla Bekkedal.
She was preceded in death by her parents and husband Oliver.
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