Joan Darlene Waagen, 80, Bottineau, ND, passed away Saturday, December 26, 2020 at Trinity Hospital in Minot, ND.

Joan was born on April 8, 1940 at Maddock Memorial Hospital in Maddock, ND to Ingvald and Alma (Nelson) Ellefson. She attended school in Maddock, where she graduated from Benson County Agricultural & Training School in 1958. On February 21,1960 she married Gordon Waagen at the North Viking Lutheran Church in Maddock. They made their home on the Waagen farm near Maddock where they raised small grain, dairy and beef cattle, and horses.They later sold the farm and moved to the foothills of the Turtle Mountains near Bottineau. She was an active, hard working part on the ranch. When her children were grown she would do home care for the elderly. She was a member at First Lutheran Church.

Joan was a kind, caring, giving and loving mother. She devoted her life to raising and loving her family. She loved her kids and their families so much. She enjoyed watching and being involved with each of her children and their families. She was ever so grateful that Sandy stayed and cared for her on the farm. She enjoyed playing games, particularly Scrabble and Yahtzee. She especially loved to watch rodeos and kept up on the bucking horses. She loved to watch Sunday afternoon Nascar races. Her family and friends will always remember her for her kind heart and sweet smile. She enjoyed listening and watching church services from home when she could no longer attend in person. She was a sweet, kind, Jesus loving mother.

She is survived by her daughter Sandra Waagen, Bottineau,ND ; her son Dave (Teri) Waagen of Huron, SD; her son Steve (Barb) Waagen of Bottineau, ND and her daughter Lori (Lynn) Nord of Minot, ND; grandchildren, Nancy Stute, Dustin Monson, Patrick Monson, Ashley Waagen (Cody Songer), Josh Waagen, Tyler Nord, and Becca Nord; great grandchildren Adam Stute, Hannah Stute, Rylie Stute, and Tatum Songer and brother in law Curt Ehnert of Devils Lake and numerous nieces and nephews. She will be deeply missed by all her family, friends and all who knew her.

In addition to her parents she was preceded in death by her husband Gordon; grandson, Wade Waagen; sisters Joyce Ellefson and Linda Ehnert.

A private funeral service is scheduled for January 2, 2021 at Nero Funeral Home, Bottineau. There will be a time of visitation on Friday, January 1, 2021 from 4-7. In lieu of flowers, memorials are preferred to the family.  The family would like to thank everyone for the love and support through phone calls, messages and cards.

Her funeral will be livestreamed on Saturday, January 2, 2021 at 10:00 am at https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=mLhy9d21DLI&feature=youtu.be