Joann Affield Loewen

JoAnn Affield Loewen

I arrived into this world on June 8, 1938, to Curtis and Myrtle (Hilde) Toso, on their farm near Rothsay, Minnesota.  I was given the name, JoAnn Virginia Toso. I was blessed to have two big brothers, Gerald and Donald, one big sister, CharMayne and one little sister, Dian. I passed away on November 30, 2018 surrounded by family at Lilac Memory Care Home in Moorhead, Minnesota.

I grew up in Rothsay, was baptized and confirmed at Hamar Lutheran Church, and attended school in Rothsay, graduating in 1956. On March 10, 1956, I was united in marriage to William (Bill) Affield at Hamar Lutheran Church in Rothsay.  Our first son was born and passed away in October 1956. We moved to Redlands, CA for a couple years. We were blessed with two daughters, Jennifer (Tony) Green, Ulen; Toni (Ron Schlaht) Affield, Barnesville, and three sons, Todd (Ruth) Affield, Randy (Wendy) Affield, Baker, and Dwight (Carrie) Affield, Barnesville. We farmed on the Affield family farm for many years, moving to San Diego for a couple years, where our last son was born. We moved to Baker, Minnesota, in 1973.  I worked as a teacher’s aide for Barnesville School for a short time.  I then went to work for the City of Moorhead, Assessor’s Department in 1975 until retiring in the fall of 2000. I was active in church activities throughout the years, serving our Lord and Savior. Bill passed away in September 1987. In 1988, I moved to Moorhead, Minnesota, where I continued to reside until my death. I married Duane Loewen on November 15, 1997, at Triumph Lutheran Brethren Church. Duane has two children, Michael (Minette) Loewen, Northwood, ND and Michelle (Dan) Spriggs, St. Anthony. We made our home in Moorhead and after retirement we did spend some winter months in Arizona. We enjoyed traveling to many special places during our years together. Duane passed away in October 2013. I moved into River Pointe Assisted Living in 2015 and Lilac Home in 2017.

God blessed me with 15 grandchildren and 15 great-grandchildren; Kristen (Joel) Lillian and Nathanael Schneeberger, Fargo, Sarah (Chad) Lane, Kylee, and Trygvee West, Moorhead, Rachel (Blaine) Brooke, Adelyn, Bethany and Emmitt Bakke, Ulen, Jacquelyn (John Winter) Wheelright, Alec Wheelright, Madison Milligan, and Glori Mork, Barnesville, Jamie (Bryce Peak) and Kenzie Wheelright, Barnesville, William Affield, Minneapolis, Katie (Ben) Naylor, Moorhead, Brandon (Courtney Halter) and Aurora Dilbeck, Fargo, Alyssa (Tyler) and Briley Hewson, Dilworth, Jake Affield, Baker, Claire Affield, Baker, Jared (Sheyenne Gunderson) Affield, Barnesville, Travis Affield, Barnesville, Justice (Keturah Lund) Spriggs and Raven Spriggs, St. Anthony. I know that all of my grandchildren are destined for greatness and I feel so blessed to have had each of them in my life.

I was preceded in death by my parents; husbands; infant son; sisters, CharMayne Toft and Dian Grefsrud; brother, Donald Toso; sisters-in-law, Darlene Toso, Janice Affield, and Shirley Helmer; and brother-in-law, Norman Helmer.

I have been survived by my children, grandchildren and great grandchildren that are listed above; brother, Gerald (Karen) Toso, Fergus Falls; brothers-in-law, Gordon Affield, Prior Lake, Marlin Toft, Ivanhoe and Keith Grefsrud, Santee,CA; sister-in-law, Bonnie Heuer, Spartensburg, SC; aunts, Betty Nettestad, Moorhead and Grace Affield, Puyallup, WA, along with many nieces, nephews and lifelong friends.

I am now in a better place.  I am spending time catching up with those that went before me.  I was greeted with open arms when I arrived in heaven.  I don’t want you to worry about me, I am walking and running through fields of daisies (my favorite flower) and I will always be with you.  I will live on in your hearts and when you see a butterfly or daisies, please think of me.  It is what it is and I have faith that we will one day be united together, keep faith, love, and hope close to your heart at all times. I have been so blessed in my earthly life to have been surrounded by so many wonderful people.

Arrangements have been entrusted to Wright Funeral Home in Moorhead.  The service to celebrate my life is on Wednesday, December 5, 2018 at 2:00 p.m. at Triumph Lutheran Brethren Church in Moorhead with Rev. Jeff Seaver officiating. Please share your memories of me during the visitation prior to the service and the sweet treats time following the service.

Love Always – JoAnn