JoAnn J. (Miller) Freborg, 80, formerly of Turtle Lake, ND died March 31, 2021 at Edgewood on Dominion in Bismarck, ND.  Funeral services will be held at 10:30 AM on Saturday, April, 3, 2021 at the Turtle Lake Baptist Church with Pastor Steve Vetter officiating.  Interment will be held in the Turtle Lake Cemetery. Visitation will be held one hour prior to the service on Saturday at the church.  The service will be livestreamed on the Turtle Lake Baptist Church Facebook page.

JoAnn was born on September 17, 1940, to Julia and Otto Miller and was raised in Turtle Lake. She graduated from Turtle Lake High School in 1958, and married Ronald "Butch" Freborg on September 14, 1958. They briefly lived in South Dakota and then returned to Turtle Lake where JoAnn devoted her time to motherhood and farm life. JoAnn and Butch lived on the Freborg farmstead, 7 miles west of Turtle Lake, until 2003, when they moved into Turtle Lake. JoAnn managed concessions for the Park Board; and worked for the City and library. JoAnn and Butch enjoyed 60 years of life together. In 2018, JoAnn moved to Bismarck where she received specialized and loving care during her remaining days.

JoAnn was a fiercely independent woman whose heart melted with a dog in her arms. She was an admirable cook and baker who often whipped up hearty meals for last minute guests by grabbing a few ingredients from the pantry, fridge, and freezer. JoAnn was a passionate homebody and it took a lot to get her out of the house, but once on her way, she loved her trips to Minnesota, South Dakota, Alaska, Washington, and Arizona. She adored reading, embroidery, and other crafts. But mostly, she was a loving daughter, devoted sister, honorable wife, protective mother, caring grandmother, gentle great-grandmother, favored aunt, dedicated friend, and gracious hostess. JoAnn is loved and will be deeply missed by her family and friends.

JoAnn leaves behind her children, David & Diane Freborg, Debra & Jeffrey Ronning, Kevin Freborg & Peter Bissonette, Richard & Jackie Freborg, and Darcel & Glenn Schmidt; her grandchildren, Garrett Freborg, Austin Freborg, Cody Sondrol, Sara & Ryan Blotter, Dustin Ronning, Derek Freborg, Piper Freborg, Kylee Schmidt, and Natalee Schmidt; her great-grandchildren, Jackson Blotter, Jovie Blotter, Maxton Blotter, and Adison Ronning; her dear sister Barbara Kittler-Schulz; and many nieces, nephews, extended family, and dear friends.

JoAnn was preceded in death by her husband, Butch Freborg; parents, Julia & Otto Miller; brothers, Marvin Miller and James Miller; sisters, Leona Franke and Helen Lee.