Joanne Andring

Joanne Fay Andring, 84, of Moorhead, MN, died Sunday, August 11, 2019, at Eventide on Eighth in Moorhead.

Joanne Fay Belshan was born to Josephine and Howard Belshan in Mahnomen, MN on November 17, 1934, where she was raised and lived on the family farm through high school.  She was the oldest of three daughters and began taking care of others at an early age that continued her entire life.  Joanne attended the one-room Rainbow School until high school where she then graduated from Mahnomen High School in 1952.  She then attended and graduated from The Minneapolis Business School in 1953.  Joanne was very smart, a quick learner, outstanding student, and loved learning.

Joanne met Leonard Andring (deceased November 28, 2018), also from Mahnomen, and they married on June 26, 1954 at St. Michael’s Catholic Church.  They made their home in Moorhead, MN and lived and raised their family in the same house for over 64 years.  Throughout their marriage Joanne was a loving and perfect wife, mother, sister, aunt and grandmother who guided her family with consistency and grace and taught them values that they carry on today and beyond.  She was a person who loved her husband and family unconditionally.

Joanne was very involved in the St.  Francis de Sales Catholic Church in official and unofficial capacities, volunteering countless hours to a variety of tasks and treasures.  She was a member of the Women’s Guild and Christian Mothers and enjoyed donating her time to the cause of the Catholic Church.  She and all of her daughters were involved in The Camp Fire Girls, and she enjoyed crocheting, embroidery, sewing, baking cookies and cakes and breads, and playing pinochle with Len and a long list of good friends.

Joanne had a deep religious faith and believed strongly in prayer and devotion to God.  She was a very nurturing person, who throughout her life was placed in positions of care-with her sister Judy, both of her parents, and in the end with her husband Len.  She never complained about anything, and was always smiling and quick with a funny one-liner or saying that left you feeling better.  Being touched by Joanne was like being touched by an angel.  She was such a wonderful person who will be remembered by many people for many years.  Her family was lucky to have her for a mother.

Joanne is survived by her six children: Kathy (Robert) Dablow, Pam (Tod) Wells, Mike, Doug (Marti), Julie (Bob) McGoldrick, and Jill (Tom) Chiarelli; and 12 grandchildren: Chris Dablow, Nick (Mandy) Dablow, Richard (Kristie) Dablow, Michael Garrett (Jennifer Schifsky), Desiree Garrett (Josh Haber), Joanne Fitzgerald, Rachel (Cody) Andring, Maggie (Kyle) Andring, Allison (Jordan) Furman, Tom (Angela) Chiarelli, Joe Chiarelli, and Greg Chiarelli, along with 6 great-grandchildren.  Joanne is also survived by her sister Karen Kramer Zenger, brothers and sisters-in-law Richard (Darlene) Andring, Clair Cook, Beverly (Virgil) Amsden, and Doreen Andring.

Joanne was preceded in death by her parents, Howard and Josephine Belshan, Uncle Joseph Belshan, sister Judy Vigen, son-in-law Tom Morgan, daughter-in-law Joyce Andring, and Baby Boy Garrett.

Visitation will be held Friday, August 16, 2019, from 5:00 to 7:00 P.M., with a prayer service beginning at 7:00 P.M., at St. Joseph’s Catholic Church in Moorhead.

The Funeral Mass will be held at 11:00 A.M. on Saturday, August 17, 2019, at St. Joseph’s Catholic Church.

Interment will take place at 3:00 P.M. on Saturday, August 17, 2019, at St. Michael’s Cemetery in Mahnomen, MN.  The cemetery is located on the corner of 140^th Avenue and 240^th Street, just south of Mahnomen.  All are welcome to join the family.

The family asks that all memorials be directed to a Hospice of your choice.