Joann Henry, age 82 of Westhope, went peacefully into our Heavenly Father's arms on Saturday, September 19, 2020 at a Bottineau nursing home.  A private family service will be held.  A public committal service will be held on Wednesday, September 23, 2020 at 10:45 at the Westhope Cemetery.  Visitation will be Tuesday from 3:00 pm until 9:00 pm at the Trinity Lutheran Church in Westhope.

Joann was born March 30, 1938 to Ole and Ruby Solemsaas. She was raised on a farm near Mohall with brothers Alfred, Marlen, Galen, Layne and sisters Carole, Betty, Ruby. She graduated from Mohall High School in 1956.

She married the love of her life Darrell Henry on April 6, 1956. They raised six children on a farm near Westhope. Joann and Darrell celebrated 58 years of marriage before Darrell passed on April 8, 2014. She was extremely proud of her children.

She was a member of Trinity Lutheran Church of Westhope and through the years taught many classes of Sunday school and bible school. She was a troop leader and member of the Girl Scouts of America for 50 plus years and received the lifetime award. Joann was a member of National Federated Women's Club and held many local and state offices, as well as the ND state president. She had a deep faith and led a group of women in a bible study for years. Her friends held a special place in her heart and she loved her time with them. She worked in the activities room at the Westhope Nursing Home for 10 years and loved the job, with the exception of Bingo. She walked many miles with friends and alone, liked to bowl, golf, do crossword puzzles, painting, crafting, gardening, and playing games especially dominoes in her later years with their friends. When asked to help-out with something or take on a job, she didn't often say no.

Joann loved to read and wrote in a journal faithfully every single day, recording weather, births, deaths, marriages, and many other fun and interesting facts. She was teasingly called the town and family historian as she collected articles and lovingly made scrapbooks for several organizations. She would sometimes be called on with questions of when something had happened and she could pull out her trusty date book or journal and have the answer for them. She loved to write letters and corresponded often with family and friends. She never missed a birthday, anniversary, wedding, birth, graduation, and special occasion of those close to her with a card and a note. In the fall and at Christmas she would make trays of breads and other sweets to deliver to friends and single people in Westhope. She was a good cook and love to entertain. Decorating for holidays was a must and she would decorate all the rooms in her home, even the bathrooms.

Joann had the gift of song and some said she had the voice of an angel. She sang at church, many funerals, weddings, and other events. As Parkinson's began to take her voice, she was extremely proud when her children and Darrell gave her the gift of a recording session to make a CD singing some of her favorite songs. This recording will be cherished forever by her family. She continued to sing at the Good Samaritan Home until her voice failed her. Music was truly a gift she enjoyed and shared willingly.

She loved to travel with Darrell and some of her favorite trips were to Arizona, Europe, Hawaii, an Alaskan cruise, and a Caribbean cruise. But by far her favorite travels were to visit her children, attend sporting events, concerts, other special events for her children, grandchildren, and great grandchildren.

She said her greatest blessings were her 6 children, 17 grandchildren, and 10 great grandchildren. She read to them, taught them silly songs, and attended as many sporting and special events that it was humanly possible to attend. She loved hugs and gave them freely.

She is survived by Sons Dr. Timothy Henry of Cincinnati, OH, Steven (Teresa) Henry of Waukesha, WI, Daughters Terri (Lee) Lundberg , Rebecca (Sheldon) Braaten of Westhope, Lori (Jeff) Campbell Bismarck, and Valerie (Jason) LaFontaine of Billings, MT. Grandchildren Dr. Chris (Lindsey) Henry, Dr. Jason (Korie) Henry, Angela (Alex) Marcotullio, Kayla (Travis) Dressler, Jeremy (Brooke) Campbell, Ashley (Seth) McCollum, Justin and Ciara Henry, Alisha Braaten, Hunter (Kim) Braaten, Ellie and Walker Braaten, Mariah, Regan, and Jett LaFontaine. Great grandchildren Heath, Mabel, Hudson, Mayes, Mury, Lenna, Brookes, Luke, Knox, and Charleston. Brothers Marlen (Nancy) and Galen (Melba) Solemsaas, Sisters Carole Wrolstad, Betty (Vince) Horner, Ruby (Mike) Artz, Brother in law Gordon (Pat) Henry, Sister in law Ione Smith.

She was preceded in death by her infant sister Ruby Lavore, parents Ole and Ruby Solemsaas, Husband Darrell, Brothers Alfred and Layne Solemsaas, grandchildren Kaydee Braaten and Lane LaFontaine.

Arrangements were with Nero Funeral Home in Bottineau.  Friends may sign the online register book at www.nerofuneralhome.net .

There will be a memorial service held on Zoom on October 11, 2020 at 5:00 pm.  The link will be listed on her obituary at www.nerofuneralhome.net.

Timothy Henry is inviting you to a scheduled Zoom meeting.

Joann Henry memorial

Time: Oct 11, 2020 05:00 PM Central Time (US and Canada)

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In lieu of flowers the family asks that memorials be given to Trinity Lutheran Church or other Westhope organizations and charities.