JoAnn Heltemes

About JoAnn

JoAnn (Hagen) Heltemes, 79, of Bemidji, MN, formerly of Wadena, MN, passed away Wednesday, February 28, 2024 at Havenwood Care Center in Bemidji, where she had a loving and caring family.

JoAnn was born the New Years baby on January 1, 1945 at the Noonan, ND to Melvin and Dorothy (Thon) Hagen. She was baptized and confirmed at Bethlehem Lutheran Church. After her school years, she worked as a nanny in Minot for Drs. Olson and Ayash. She then went to Richardton and worked for her sister Janet at the Ranger Café; when returning to Crosby she worked at the Crystal Café before going to Plentywood and working for the Chandlers.

JoAnn and Gib were married in 1971 and they bought and ran the Antelope Bar in Antelope, MT. This was hometown to their two sons, Joseph and Daniel.

They made a move to Minnesota back to Gib’s roots. JoAnn worked in homecare. Gib died in 2003.

JoAnn moved to Minot in 2011 where her sons and grandchildren lived with sisters close by. She chose to move back to Minnesota 6 years later.

JoAnn and Gib made many, many quilts and enjoyed gardening and canning; vegetables, strawberries and more strawberries! Their card game was Smear.

She is survived by her sons, Joe and Dan, grandchildren, Wyatt, Levi, Navaeh, Titus, and Raife, sister, Mavis Olson, brothers-in-law, Don Goff and Terry Olson, aunt, Mildred Hagen, and many nieces, nephews, and cousins.

She was preceded in death by her parents, husband, Gib Heltemes, sisters, Janet (Ron) Hauck, Paulette Goff, Darlene (Bob) Kroshus, special nieces, nephews, and cousins.

memorial service

Services will be held at a later date in Wadena, MN.

She will be buried beside Gib at St. John the Baptist Catholic Church Cemetery in Bluffton, MN.

Funeral/Cremation Provider: Cease Family Funeral Home