Joanne L. Vihstadt, 81, passed away Tuesday, November 7, 2023.
Joanne was born April 7, 1942, in Grafton, ND, the second of four children, to Andrew and Florence Rogalla. Her father passed away in 1949 of brain cancer. Her mother remarried Victor Rogalla, and together they had one child, Timothy.
In 1953, the family moved to Grand Forks, ND. There she attended St. Mary’s School through the eighth grade She then attended St. James High School where she graduated in 1960. At both schools, Joanne was in drama with several leading parts. She sang and played both guitar and accordion.
In the summers of 1957 and 1958, Joanne and a life-long friend, worked in the office for two weeks at St. Michael’s Indian Mission.
Joanne graduated from St. Joseph’s School of Nursing in 1963, as a Registered Nurse. After beginning employment at. St. Michael’s Hospital in Grand Forks, she moved to Kenosha, WI, then later to Rochester, MN.
On October 19, 1968, she married Joe Vihstadt after he was discharged from his military obligation. They were married at St. Mary’s Catholic Church in Grand Forks, ND. Joanne and Joe moved to Crookston, MN where Joe started his career in the banking business.
Their final move was to Bellevue, NE where she continued her nursing career in Orthopedics at the Methodist Hospital for seven years. After several years, Joanne finalized her nursing career as a care giver for Notre Dame Sisters. She retired from that in 2007 but remained very active with them as an associate.
Joe and Joanne traveled stateside and abroad.
Joanne moved to a memory care facility in June 2021 where she left for final rewards.
She is survived by her husband of 55 years, James Joseph “Joe” Sr., sons, James J. Jr, (Debbie) Andrew Grindel (Katie) and daughter, Kim Wilson (Sam) seven grandchildren, sisters, Darlene Dyrud, Carol (Bruce) Denning, and brothers Dave (Marie) Rogalla, and Timothy Rogalla.
Visitation: 2:00 p.m.-4:00 p.m. Sunday, November 12, 2023, with wake services
Nurse Honor Guard: 4:00 p.m. at Bellevue Memorial Funeral Chapel.
Mass of Christian Burial: 11:00 a.m. Monday, November 13, 2023, at St. Matthew the Evangelist Catholic Church.
Committal Service: 12: 30 p.m. Omaha National Cemetery