JoAnn M. Westerholm

JoAnn Marie (Teigen) Westerholm passed away peacefully on December 31, 2023, at the age of 87, after a period of declining health at Ecumen Evergreens, Fargo, ND, under the care of Hospice of the Red River Valley.

JoAnn Teigen was born September 4, 1936, in Fargo, ND, to Millard and Gertrude (Johnson) Teigen. JoAnn grew up in Fargo and graduated from Fargo Central High School in 1954. After graduating, she went on to work at Wilson Trucking as a receptionist until she met her soulmate, Duane Westerholm, while he was home on leave from the army and both attending JoAnn’s brother’s wedding. It was love at first sight and before long, they were united in marriage at St. Mark’s Lutheran Church in Fargo on July 7, 1957. Their union lasted 62 years until the passing of Duane in 2019.

JoAnn was proud to be a military wife, even after enduring the many moves and deployments that come with military life. She handled it all in stride. Among the places they lived were Gettysburg, SD, Grand Forks, ND, and Great Falls, MT, before eventually returning to Fargo where they bought the family home on 3rd Street North, and Duane retired with the ROTC at NDSU.

JoAnn was the epitome of what a great mother should be. She often said that she got practice from helping to raise her little sister, Sue, who was quite a bit younger than her. JoAnn was kind, sweet, gentle, understanding, loving, and someone whom you could confide in. Even though she had a quiet demeanor, she was a mama bear when she had to be. All of this with a great sense of humor! She often said to people who would tease or give her a hard time that she had grown up with four brothers, therefore could handle anything. A sense of humor got her through the toughest of times! She was a strong advocate for her son, Chris, who has Cerebral Palsy as she understood him best. Many children called her mom which includes her children and grandchildren, many foster children, and many kids that she babysat over the years. JoAnn was also a lover of animals and nature, as well. She loved to visit the animals at the zoo, and enjoyed pet stores as she and Duane had many aquariums with fish. We had fun riding around Fargo to look at the trees, squirrels, and birds at Fargo’s many parks. That was when we had some of our best conversations.

JoAnn was very stylish and always took pride in how she presented herself. Among her many passions was sewing clothing and other things, especially dolls. What started out just making dolls for her daughter, Linda, and the children she babysat, eventually grew into her donating many dolls to Sanford Children’s Hospital in which brought much joy to both she and Duane and touched the lives of many. We were all proud of her, as she had articles written about her dollmaking in the Area Woman magazine and in the Fargo Forum. She made dolls for friends and relatives, even making sure some of them had bunads (traditional folk costumes). A few even went to players on her favorite local baseball team, the RedHawks. She and Duane had season tickets and loved going to their games. They met many people at those games. They also met many on their walks at West Acres Mall, breakfast at Cashwise, and Trollwood Village, where they lived for many years. They enjoyed the events there and having “Meals on Wheels” at the senior center at Trollwood. JoAnn had many wonderful friends and neighbors there. Sherri Olstad was one of them who would visit and check on her in the evenings. Both sharing fun stories and quality time together.

JoAnn is survived by her three children, Linda (Ken) Pettie, Fargo, ND, Paul (Jill) Westerholm, Cambria, CA, and Chris Westerholm, Fargo; 3 grandchildren, Colton Pettie, Fargo, Hannah Westerholm and Adam Westerholm, both of Los Angelas, CA; siblings, Phyllis (George) Matthiensen, Fargo, Dave (Soni) Teigen, Fargo, Jim Teigen, Ventura, CA, Danny (LuAnn) Teigen, Omaha, NE, and Sue (Greg) Johnson, Golden, CO; aunt, Carol Gray, IN; her lifelong friend, Marlys (Ross) Olson, Moorhead, MN; and her many nieces and nephews.

She was preceded in death by her husband, Duane Westerholm; parents, Millard and Gertrude Teigen; brother, Ronald Teigen; and sisters-in-law, Marlene Teigen and Sandy Teigen.

JoAnn’s family wishes to give thanks to Hospice of the Red River Valley and to the staff of Ecumen Evergreens of Fargo for helping JoAnn on her final journey. We love and appreciate all that you did for her.

A celebration of JoAnn’s life will be held at a later date.