Joan Ahonen

Joan Carroll (Gunness) Ahonen, age 76, passed away surrounded by her loving family on Thursday, November 7, 2024, at Elim Health Care Center, Fargo, ND.

Joan was born on July 7, 1948, to John A. Gunness and M. Ione (Adams) Gunness in Fargo, ND. She was baptized and confirmed at Emmanuel Lutheran Church in Abercrombie, ND. Joan lived with her family and attended school in Abercrombie, ND, where she participated in band (playing the flute), choir including singing in a trio, and cheerleading. After graduating from Eagle High School in 1966, Joan attended the North Dakota State School of Science where she took business courses and played in band. In 1967, Joan gained employment with the National Electrical Contractors Association (NECA) in Fargo, ND, and worked there until she and two colleagues formed Benefit Plan Administrators (BPA) on March 1, 1982. BPA was sold to Blue Cross/Blue Shield on January 1, 1995, where she continued to work until her retirement in August, 2008. Joan later worked for US Bank in Fargo.

In 1967, Joan married Edwin J. Ahonen. The marriage was blessed with three children, Paul, Susie and Joey. Joan was a devoted mother who raised her children with love and compassion, and ardently supported her granddaughter, Micah Jo, in all of her activities and studies through school and college. As a woman of faith, Joan was an active member of Martin’s Lutheran Church in Casselton for many years and enjoyed singing in numerous cantatas. She was an avid reader and was especially partial to John Grisham novels. She also embroidered many beautiful patterns in counted cross stitch. Joan enjoyed the companionship of cats, tending her flowers, the company of good friends, Elvis’ music and a Diet Coke. She was known as the “best gift giver”, perfectly matching the gift with the recipient’s interests. Joan was an excellent baker who learned from the best, her mother and grandmother. For many years, she had season tickets for the FM RedHawks baseball team and attended many games with her mother.

Joan will deeply be missed by those who survive her: Her children, Paul Ahonen and Joseph Ahonen of Fargo, Susanne Lauer of Albuquerque, NM; and her granddaughter, Micah Jo Erdmann of Fargo; her sister Diane Nelson (Richard); nephews, Matthew (Sarah) Nelson and John (Jill) Nelson, great-nephews Liam and Charlie, and great-nieces Madelynn, Miabella and Juliet; aunts Norma Schillerstrom and Glenda Adams; uncle Arnie Gunness; and many Gunness and Adams cousins.

She is preceded in death by her mother, father, brother James Brian, sister Lesley Kay, grandparents Ole and Mathea Gunness and Ralph and Laura Adams.

Funeral:   11 a.m.  Friday, November 15, 2024, at Martin’s Lutheran Church in Casselton, ND

Visitation: An hour before the service in the church.

Burial:    Emmanuel Lutheran Cemetery, Abercombie, ND

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