Joanne Clapper, age 79, of Harvey, ND, was called home to our Lord & Savior on April 11, 2014. Joanne died at the St. Aloisius Medical Center in Harvey, ND, after battling COPD for many years, her husband and mother were by her side. A memorial service will be held in her honor at the Wesley United Methodist Church of Harvey on Wednesday April 16, 2014 at 2:30 pm.

Joanne was born on September 12, 1934 in Carrington.  She was the daughter of Lester and Dolly (Posey) Footitt. Joanne grew up and attended school in Carrington. She married George Garland and they lived and farmed near Carrington. They later divorced.  Joanne moved to Bismarck and worked for the North Dakota Department of Health.  She married Oscar Clapper on November 3, 1990 and they lived in Iowa. They later moved to Harvey, North Dakota in1996 where they owned and operated the Pizza Ranch.

Joanne lit up a room when she walked in; she just had 'it'. She was the life of the party, the host with the most, an actress, an advice-giver and best friend to all. Joanne enjoyed baking, cooking, shopping, playing cards, bingo and bowling. She enjoyed spending time with her friends and family, especially her grandchildren and great-grandchildren. She was also an animal lover; Sheba (her cat of 17 years) will surely miss her Mommy.

Joanne will be remembered and deeply missed by her husband, Oscar of Harvey; mother, Dolly Footitt of Carrington; children, Patti Opp of Fargo, Paula (Dave) Loegering of Fargo; step-daughters, Vicki Klein of Virginia, Sheryl Weeks of Iowa, Julie Dlask of Iowa, Patti Adams of Kansas; 21 grandchildren; 16 great-grandchildren; sisters, Suzie Kriewald of Bellevue, NB, Sandy Guenther of Seattle, WA.

Joanne will be welcomed into heaven by her father, Lester Footitt; daughter, Nancy Garland Olson and several other friends and family members.