JOAN A NELLERMOE

JoAn Arlene Fuglestad Nellermoe

July 3, 1942 – March 2, 2026

JoAn Arlene Nellermoe passed away peacefully on Monday, March 2, 2026, surrounded by her loving family.

JoAn was born on July 3, 1942, in Fargo, North Dakota, to Inga Nevland and Thorwald Fuglestad. She grew up on the family farm near Luverne, North Dakota, with her seven older brothers. She attended grade school in Luverne and graduated from Oak Grove Lutheran High School in Fargo in 1960. In 1957, she met the love of her life, Howard Nellermoe, on a blind date arranged by their cousins Podge and Ron. They attended the Frosh Frolics together that evening.

JoAn and Howard were married on June 4th, 1961, at Luverne Lutheran Church. Shortly afterward, they moved out west to Hood River, Oregon, where Howard began his career in teaching and coaching, and JoAn focused on raising their family. Later, JoAn worked at a local fruit cannery, was a talented seamstress, at Hood River Hospital and retired from Kaiser Hospital in Portland, Or. In their later years, JoAn and Howard enjoyed traveling, including a memorable trip to Norway and frequent visits back to North Dakota. After Howard’s passing in 2009, JoAn continued to travel with her church group, including a special trip to Jerusalem. She spent many summers at the family farm in Luverne before moving to Valley City, North Dakota, in 2022.

She was an accomplished artist who loved painting, sewing, gardening, baking, and collecting rocks and shells. She was also an active member of the Sons of Norway. Above all, she cherished time spent with her family.

JoAn is survived by her children: Cherie Flory and husband Perry of Parkdale, Oregon; Michael Nellermoe of Gresham, Oregon; Rachael Mahaffie and husband Bill of Eugene, Oregon; and David Nellermoe and wife Krissy of Bend, Oregon; as well as her brother Ralph Fuglestad. She is also survived by 9 grandchildren, 3 great-granddaughters, and many of her nieces and nephews.

She was preceded in death by her husband Howard, her daughter Terrie Bradley, and her brothers Thelford, Lloyd, Marvin, Reynold, Vernon, and Ira.

JoAn will be remembered for her deep love of family and her beautiful paintings of the PNW mountains and the Pacific Ocean.

A memorial service will be held at 10:30 a.m. on Saturday, June 13th, at Faith Lutheran Church in Valley City. In lieu of flowers, the family requests donations be made to the Cooperstown Veterans Club.