Joan Eleanore Smith (Adams), age 81 of Willow City, passed away on Friday, June 21, 2024 at her home near Willow City.  Her funeral will be held on Friday, June 28, 2024 at 10:00 am at the First Lutheran Church in Bottineau followed by lunch at the church with Burial at 1:00 pm at the Memorial Park Cemetery near Willow City.  Visitation will be Thursday from 1:00 pm until 7:00 pm at the Nero Funeral Home.  Her service will be livestreamed at https://www.facebook.com/FirstLutheranChurchBottineau.

Joan was born on March 18, 1943 in Bottineau to Reinholdt and Bertha Adams (Brandt).  She was baptized and confirmed in the Peace Reformed Church in Upham, ND.  She went to school in Kramer and later graduated High School in Upham in 1961.  During her school years, Joan worked at local cafes and would stay at her dad's TV shop when he was out.  After graduation, Joan moved to Minot.  Here she lived with her sisters and friends where she continued to work in cafes and did babysitting for numerous families and her nephews.

Joan then moved to Willow City and worked at the café.  There she met and married Thomas Smith October 1, 1965.  They made their home west of Willow City and in 1969 they moved to their current farm.  She became a mother in 1969 when her son was born and again in 1975 with her daughter.  Family was always very important to her.

In 1979, Joan kept busy helping Tom in S & S Machining and continued to babysit throughout her life for her grandchildren and many who knew her as 'Grandma Joan'.  For many years, Joan helped with voting and served as Precinct Chairman for a time.  While Joan was a member of St. Paul's Lutheran Church of Willow City, she was especially proud of being the first woman voting member of this church.  She was the Willow Creek Water Board Treasurer for 20 years and belonged to the 3-W Homemakers Club where she sustained lifelong friendships.

Joan took pride in her gardening and yard work and it showed.  If she wasn't out in the yard, you would find her reading a book, baking or enjoying her grandkids.  Joan made elaborate cakes for every birthday and decorated cookies with the grandkids for holidays, which were enjoyed by many.  Joan journaled every day for many years and she was famous for her Christmas Letters.  She never met a stranger and coffee and goodies were always ready for company.  She loved to visit and especially looked forward to her Brandt Family Reunions and cherished her time and travels with her friend, Myron Roen.

Joan is survived by her son, Scott Smith and his wife, Jamie (Keller) of Willow City; daughter, Tammy and her husband, Willard Hahn, Jr. of Bottineau; grandson, Leo Hahn; granddaughters, Haley Hahn and Jorja and Jadrian Smith; brothers, Glen Adams (Myrna) of AZ and David Adams (Karen) of MN; sisters, Janice Cooper (Leonard) of IN and Lorna Kofoid (Alney) of WY; and numerous aunts, uncles, nieces and nephews.

She is preceded in death by her husband, Thomas Smith; her parents, Reinholdt and Bertha Adams; and her sisters, Jane Adams, Judith Walker and Donna Kofoid.