Joan Roppe, 90, of Newfolden, MN passed away peacefully on Tuesday, March 25, 2025, at Oakland Park Communities in Thief River Falls with her loving family by her side.
Joan Elaine Nelson was born on September 4, 1934, at home in New Maine Township, north of Newfolden, MN. She was the third child of eight born to Nels Conrad Nelson and Bertina Caroline (Strand) Nelson. She was baptized on September 30, 1934, at South Trinity Church, Grafton, ND. She was confirmed on May 9, 1948, at the Evangelical Free Church, Newfolden, MN. She attended school at Goodwill Country School, Newfolden Elementary, and was a 1952 graduate of Newfolden High School.
Joan married Wallace Franklin Roppe on April 17, 1951, at the home of Rev. Thorvald Myhrer, Newfolden, MN. They had one daughter, Barbara Fay. Joan’s first job was picking potatoes by hand. She also worked as a telephone operator in Donaldson, MN and served as Newfolden City Treasurer. They moved into Newfolden in 1964, when Joan started working at the Marshall County Mutual Insurance Company. She worked there for 50 years, serving as Secretary, Director and Agent. She loved her job and working with people.
Joan had so many interests and was always wanting to learn new things. She enjoyed flowers, gardening, history (especially family history), photography, cutting out newspaper clippings, her soap opera, rummage sales, dolls, old-time country music, and dancing with her life partner of 54 years. She especially enjoyed family gatherings. Family was so important to her.
Joan is survived by her daughter: Barbara (Curtiss) Farbo; grandchildren: Cari (John) Vukmanich and Robby (Jill) Farbo; great-grandchildren: Emma, Cora and Johnny Vukmanich and Kale and Kasey Farbo; siblings: Marian Peterson, Janice Olson, Vernon (Sheila) Nelson, Gary (Karen) Nelson; sister-in-law: Patty Nelson; and many nieces, nephews, cousins, and friends.
She is preceded in death by her husband: Wallace in 2005; parents; siblings: Marvin (Avis) Nelson, Deloris (Albin) Holten, Jerome Nelson; brothers-in-law: Arnold Peterson and William Olson, Jr.; Wallace’s parents: Richard and Sarah Roppe; and Wallace’s brothers: Bert (Adeline), Roy (Laura), Thorfen (Lorraine), and Erwin (Alice).
Visitation will begin at 10:00 AM with the service to celebrate Joan’s life at 11:00 AM Monday, March 31, 2025, at Our Saviour’s Lutheran Church in Thief River Falls, MN with Rev. Alex Amiot officiating. Burial will follow at Oak Grove Cemetery, Newfolden, MN.
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# Joan Roppe, #