Joan Saxerud

Joan A. Saxerud of Moorhead, MN passed away Saturday, January 24, 2009 at the Villa Maria, Fargo, ND. Joan Ardice Ellison was born December 25, 1944 in Minot, ND to J. Norman Ellison, Jr. and Ardice Marie (Hardy) Ellison. A graduate of Minot High School, Joan attended Macalester College in St. Paul, MN and received a bachelor?s degree in medical technology from North Dakota State University, Fargo. In 1973 she started her career in medical technology at St. Andrew?s Hospital in Bottineau, ND where she worked for 10 years. After completing her bachelor?s degree in medical technology in 1987, she worked in the Fargo-Moorhead area at St. Ansgar Hospital, St. John?s Hospital, Dakota Heartland, Family Healthcare Center and Independent Family Doctors, retiring in 2008. Joan married Ronald Saxerud on July 22, 1972. Joan?s family and friends were very important to her, and she was known for her wild sense of humor. Her hobbies included water skiing, community theater, bowling, playing bridge, reading, Scrabble and crossword puzzles. She also enjoyed music, playing the piano, saxophone and harp and singing in various choirs. She is survived by her devoted husband, Ron, who lovingly cared for her throughout her heroic, year-long battle with lung cancer; father and stepmother, J. Norman, Jr. and Elaine Ellison, Minot; sister, Jane (Bill) Gwin, Portland, OR; brother, Dr. James N. (Katie) Ellison, St. Louis, MO; stepsisters, Diann (Luther) Hanson, Minot, and Sally Witham, Minneapolis, MN; stepbrothers, Lyle Witham, Bismarck, ND and Tracy (Jeannette) Witham, Sauk Rapid, MN; sister-in-law, Audrey (John) Ihla, Bottineau, ND; nieces, Christine Eckersley, Orange Park, FL, Melissa Kelly, Beavercreek, OR, Sara Ellison, New York City, NY and Elizabeth Ellison, St. Louis; nephews, Chad Ihla, Bismarck and Darion Ellison, St. Louis; and cousins, Jean Holcomb, Westfield, NC, Dr. James McCulley, Fargo, ND, and Cee Cee Thompson, Minot. Joan was preceded in death by her mother on January 28,1973. The family would like to thank her cousin, Dr. James McCulley and her friends, Rosemary Modahl, Jan Reynen, Phyllis Ihli, and Owen and Catherine Carlson for their support of Joan during her illness. There will be a Memorial Service on Wednesday, January 28, 2009 at 2:00 pm at Boulger Funeral Home, Fargo.