JoAnn Dietrich

JoAnn C. Horge Dietrich, 77, of Cavalier, ND, passed away Tuesday, August 20, 2019, at Valley Eldercare in Grand Forks, ND. Funeral service will be held Saturday, August 24, 2019, at 10:00 a.m. at the United Lutheran Church, Cavalier. Visitation will be held for one hour before the time of the service.

I, JoAnn Carol Horge, was born to Ardis (Brevik) and Elmer Horge on June 9, 1942 in Crookston, MN. I moved from Twin Valley to Halstad in 1953. I graduated from Halstad High School in 1960 and graduated from Mayville State Teachers College. I was a second grade teacher in Cavalier, ND for 36 years. I loved all the children and wanted them to love reading, my favorite subject, as much as I loved it. I was honored to receive Teacher of the Year at Cavalier. 

I married Donald Dietrich, a farmer, and we lived in Crystal. We had two children, a son, Jason and a daughter, Josie. 

I׳ve always loved animals. I had a kennel, J-Dee Kennel, and raised Mastiffs, Shelties, Yorkshire Terriers, Burmese Mountain dogs and Boston Terriers. I was especially fond of my Burmese Mountain dogs. We had a pet raccoon, hairless rat and scads of cats. 

I was a little, blonde, precocious girl. Mom and I lived with great grandma, Laura, when my father was in the army. I would sit with her and we would sing. When we had company, the rugs would always get messed up. I would rush after them and straighten the rugs. 

I loved to sing. People told me I have a beautiful voice. In high school I received an award for the highest rating for perfection of performance. I loved to write and my creativity surprised others, and sometimes myself. In college I wrote a story using the names of all the counties in North Dakota. In Cavalier I added a room on to my house for a library. I loved all my books and just being in this room made me happy. 

I had many medical issues during my life that made it difficult for me. I moved to Grand Forks in 2015 to be closer to my dialysis facility. 

I have been told that I am unique, eccentric and a stubborn Norse. I left this world on August 20, 2019. I leave behind my son, Jason (Jackie Nordstrom), Grafton, ND; daughter, Josie (Allan) Gibson, Valley City; grandsons, Carsten Dietrich, Germany, Taylor (Modesta Cabrera) Gibson, Mayville; Justin Gibson, Valley City; great grandchildren, Oakley Gibson and Aubrey Gibson; siblings, Betty Jean (Wally) Oien, Halstad, Karen (Lynn) Johnson, Fargo, Yvonne (Tom) Carlson, Halstad, Wayne (Karen) Horge, Halstad, and Debra (Ty) McGinty, Halstad and many nieces and nephews. 

I was preceded in death by my grandparents, parents and my best friend, Boston Terrier, Muggsy. 

 “I am a teacher. A teacher is someone who leads. I do not walk on water. I do not part the sea. I just love children.×´ 

“The mediocre teacher tells. The good teacher explains. The superior teacher demonstrates. The great teacher inspires.×´ Jo, you were a great teacher and dearly loved! 

YOURS ARE THE HANDS 

A teacher Takes a hand Opens a mind Touches a heart Shapes the future. 

Yours are the hands that brushed my hair from my eyes. You reassured me, comforted me and made me feel that being away from Mom wasn׳t so bad after all. 

Yours are the hands that clapped to get my attention in school. You let me know there was work to be done, as well as time to play in this all-day school. You taught me discipline, fairness and patience, still allowing me to be creative and inventive.