Joanne Ruth May

   Joanne Ruth May, age 79, of Park Rapids, MN,  unexpectedly passed into eternal life, on Saturday, May 21, 2016 surrounded by her loved ones at the Essentia Health Medical Center in Fargo, ND following a massive brain hemorrhage she had suffered hours earlier.    Joanne was born on August 20, 1936 in Akeley, MN to Axel and Ella (Hoberg) Ingman. She was baptized by Pastor Milton Grinsrud on October 9, 1936 and was confirmed by Rev. Karl O.R. Kiildahl on April 30, 1950. Joanne attended Akeley Public Schools from where she graduated high school and went on to attend Concordia College in Moorhead, MN.  On June 3, 1956, Joanne was united in marriage to her high school sweetheart, Don May.  They were blessed with three children: Jeffrey, Dawn and Paul.  Joanne devoted her life to making a loving home for her husband and children.  She was a very talented seamstress who could sew everything from dresses to curtains to snowmobile suits.  She had many regular customers who would come to her for clothing alterations and repairs.  In addition to caring for her family, Joanne also worked for Ringer Manufacturing and Haas Printing.  She was a long time member of St. John’s Lutheran Church where she was a faithful member of the Alter guild, the prayer chain and in earlier years had sung in the church choir.  Joanne also volunteered many hours with the St. Joseph’s Area Hospice.     Joanne will be lovingly remembered by her three children: Jeff (Jill) May of Park Rapids, MN, Dawn Vaadeland of Delano, MN and Paul (Kim) May of Park Rapids, MN; six grandchildren: Josh (Michelle) May, Erika May, Hunter May, Elizabeth Vaadeland, Dezarae May and A.J. May; 10 great grandchildren: Sage and  Abby Haandegard, Finley Erb,  Jaden and Landen May, Talen May, Alex, Erica, Marty and Sara Roesler; as well as numerous nieces, nephews, other relatives and many friends.    Joanne was preceded in death by her husband, Don May in 2012, her parents and one grandson, Jordan May (son of Jeff and Jill).    Funeral services will be held 2 PM Thursday, May 26, 2016 at St. John’s Lutheran Church in Park Rapids with the Pastor James Neubauer and Pastor Timothy Heinecke officiating.  The casket bearers will be: Josh May, A.J. May, Hunter May, David Vos, Greg May and Tom Porozinski.  Honorary casket bearers will be her granddaughters: Dezarae May, Erika May and Elizabeth Vaadeland.  Interment will be made next to her husband, Don and her parents in the Akeley Cemetery.  Visitation will be held from 5 to 8 PM Wednesday, May 25, 2016 at the Jones-Pearson Funeral Home in Park Rapids and will continue for one hour prior to the service on Thursday at the church.  Following the service, a luncheon will be hosted by St. John’s Lutheran Church.