JoAnn James, 74 of Turtle Lake, ND died November 11, 2017 at CHI St. Alexius in Bismarck, ND. Funeral services will be at 10:00 AM on Friday November 17, 2017 at Trinity Lutheran Church, Turtle Lake with Pastor Sondra Krogstad officiating. Interment will be held in the Turtle Lake Cemetery. Visitation will be held from 5:00 PM until 7:00 PM Thursday and one hour prior to the service on Friday all at the church.

JoAnn was born on November 27 ^th , 1942 to Rudy and Margaret Wagner of rural Wilton.   She attended country school and later attended and graduated high school in Wilton.   She attended college in Bismarck, enrolling in a Dental Assistant program and working for Dr. Beck Dentistry in Bismarck.   JoAnn married Larry James of Turtle Lake on November 27 ^th , 1964.   They made their home on the James family farm 14 miles north of Turtle Lake.   JoAnn enjoyed the farm and ranch life very much working side by side with her family. The farm remained her home until her passing. She was a 10 year cancer survivor, rarely letting it slow her down and always thinking of others as she fought her own battles.   As a cancer survivor she supported, and participated in, Relay for Life Benefit programs, Benefit walks, and other important causes.   She loved children and was passionate about supporting St. Jude Children's Hospital.

JoAnn was an avid homemaker and loved to collect antique furniture, red retro plastic ware, and many things old and interesting.   She had a special knack for repurposing old "stuff" and giving it new life. She has several collections of old chalk ware and seemed to somehow always find a special piece to bring home from her travels. She loved to read western novels in her spare time, going through all written by Louis L'Amour plus countless others.  Like many farmwives, she took great pride in her vegetable gardens and her many flower and rock gardens. She particularly found joy and comfort in caring for her many lovable pets over the years and caring for baby calves each spring. JoAnn was an Avon representative for over 30 years continuing up until her passing. She was an officer/member (Treasurer) of the TL Memorial Hospital Auxiliary for decades helping raise money for the local hospital. She was an active member of the Trinity Lutheran congregation and enjoyed teaching Sunday school and Bible School in her younger years. She enjoyed jumping on the back of Larry's Harley and going for a ride.   They made several trips to Sturgis over the years, with the last being just a few years ago with both sons.

JoAnn is survived by her husband of 52 years, Larry of Turtle Lake; two sons, Tyler and Grant both of Turtle Lake; two brothers, Rodney (Helen) Wagner of Wilton and Ronald (Marella) Wagner of Bismarck; a very special nephew, Rodney (Joyce) James of Turtle Lake and their two very special daughters Rhea (Austin) Mattoon of Washburn and Amber (Fiancée-Aaron Celley) James of Bismarck; other nieces and nephews; Randy (Wendy) James of Spruce Grove, AB, Canada; Bryan James of Lincoln; Shane Wagner of Wilton; Shannon (Dewey) Aaseth of Hazen; Trapper (Lindsay) Wagner of Bismarck; Cody (Ashley) Wagner of Bismarck; Thane (Kristi) Mundell of Thief River Falls, MN; Candace (Kurt) Slettvedt of Bemidji, MN; Shaw McCabe of Mesa, AZ.

JoAnn was preceded in death by both parents, Rudy and Margaret Wagner.