Joanne Carol Nolte

JoAnne Carol (Burley) Nolte went home to her Lord and Savior Jesus Christ on February 8, 2016 after a courageous six-year battle with Pulmonary Fibrosis. JoAnne Carol Burley was born November 7, 1936 in Gardner North Dakota to Harry and Elise Pearson Burley on their family farm. She was baptized July 1937 and confirmed in 1950 at Herbey Lutheran Church in Argusville, North Dakota. JoAnne enjoyed working outdoors from a young age; if she wasn’t helping her dad in the fields she could be found canning or gardening. Playing basketball on Gardner’s Women’s Basketball Team was the highlight of JoAnne’s high school career. JoAnne and her sister Jeanne were the tallest girls on the team. In her senior year the team won regionals and advanced to state. JoAnne graduated from Gardner High School in 1954. After high school she attended Interstate Business College in Fargo and worked at Grove Inn and Coffee Shop. She met Paul W. Nolte on May 31,1957 at The Herb Johnson Barn Dance in Arthur, North Dakota. Paul liked her red hair and attitude. Every Wednesday he would drive 40 miles one way to take her to a movie. They were married December 21, 1957 in a Christmas candle light service at Herby Lutheran Church. They made their home in Steele, North Dakota for two years before purchasing their family farm in Sebeka in 1959. JoAnne’s love for sports and the outdoors continued throughout her adult life. She played women’s softball throughout the 60’s and of course, helped on the farm. It was there on the farm where Paul and JoAnne would raise their six children, as well as hosting a foreign exchange student from time to time. She loved flowers and gardening. She enjoyed her role as the family homemaker and her children often came home to fresh cookies and bread. She was a member of the Nimrod Lutheran Church where she participated as a Sunday school and Bible schoolteacher. She was also a member of the Mary Martha Guild. JoAnne was also very active in the Wadena County 4H program. She loved going to her children, grandchildren and great-grandchildren’s event. Each of her grandchildren and great-grandchildren always received a birthday card in the mail on their birthday (no matter how old they were), as she never missed the occasion. She was an active member of the England Prairie Pioneer club where she would set up elaborate “old time” displays for people to view. She was also a member of Rollag where she loved driving the shuttle. She worked for one year at the Sebeka School kitchen in 1994 where she was able to keep an eye on some of her grandchildren. After selling the family farm to their son, Tim, JoAnne went to Wadena Technical College to become a home health aid for Wadena County and Tri-County Hospital. She patiently helped many people within their homes and loved listening to their stories. She was a member of Grace Lutheran Church and Guild. JoAnne is survived by her husband of 58 years Paul of rural Sebeka; children: Teresa Churchman of Colorado, Rodney (Lynda) Nolte of Arizona, Rebecca (Jamie) Hoefs of Sebeka, Mark (Diane) Nolte of Valley City, North Dakota, Timothy (Rita) Nolte of rural Sebeka, and Jim Dusek of Grafton, North Dakota; 19 grandchildren, 21 great-grandchildren, brother Wayne (Catharine) Burley, of Gardner, North Dakota; sister, Jean Hersch of Casselton, North Dakota. JoAnne was preceded in death by daughter Kristine Kay Dusek, great-grandchild Sophie Ann Hoefs, and son in-law Robert Churchman. Visitation will be held from 5-8 PM Friday, February 12, 2016 at Wevley Funeral Home in Sebeka, MN and one hour prior to the service at the church. Funeral Services will be held 11:00 AM Saturday, February 13, 2016 at Grace Lutheran Church in Sebeka, MN with Pastor Mark Hesse officiating.