Joanne Eva Barke

Memorial Service: https://vimeo.com/event/4686605

Tribute Video: https://www.tributeslides.com/tributes/show/75RJJYLRHDNFZ7LG

JoAnne Klevberg Barke, loving wife, mother, grandmother, and great-grandmother, has passed away at the age of 92 at Bethany on 42nd Street in Fargo.

JoAnne was born in 1932 to Ed and Thilda Klevberg on a farm near Northwood, North Dakota. She attended the country school during her early years and graduated from Northwood High in 1949. JoAnne then attended NDSU from 1950 to 1954, graduating with a degree in Home Economics. She was a member of the Kappa Alpha Theta Sorority.

JoAnne met the love of her life, Christie Barke, while attending NDSU, and they married in 1954. They raised three children: Craig, Brad, and Mary.

JoAnne's love for fashion and helping others transferred into her career, where she wore many different hats over the years. Her first job was teaching Home Economics and Driver's Ed in Richland County, before teaching Typing at Interstate Business College in Fargo. She later became a Real Estate Agent. JoAnne's true passion, however, was sewing. She was a seamstress for DeLendrecie's for many years before opening her own women's clothing store, Christie's. After closing Christie's, she opened a very successful alteration business, Custom Fashions, out of her home.

JoAnne had a deep love for her country. She was very active in the Enlisted Association of the National Guard of the United States (EANGUS) Auxiliary, traveling cross-country to many conferences and activities. She held many different offices and was awarded several commendations.

JoAnne had a generous and servant heart. During her years supporting Kappa Alpha Theta, she was a sorority Big Sister, helped with food service at their Antique Show to raise funds for local charities, and helped to sponsor a scholarship to NDSU for a returning student. She spent many hours making quilts, bears, and hats with her sewing friends. She donated bears to the church for newborns for their baptism, made quilts and pillowcases to send to Africa, and spent many hours serving others through Faith United Methodist Church. JoAnne was also a patient advocate for others and served on a focus group to provide input into the design of the new Sanford Hospital in Fargo.

JoAnne's family meant the world to her, and she loved being grandmother. "Grandma Jo" spent many hours teaching her grandchildren the tricks of her many trades, teaching them to sew, cook, bake, and even churn butter. She and Christie were proud of their grandchildren in their many activities and careers. Her door was always open, and there was always a seat at her table for family and friends.

JoAnne was preceded in death by her parents; husband; brothers Marvin (Jeanette) and Ron Klevberg; brother-in-law Howard Barke; and sister-in-law and special friend Hazel Barke.

She is survived by her three children, Craig, Brad (Jennifer), Mary (John Sterling); five grandchildren Chara Barke-Martin, McKayla Barke, Ryan Sterling, Jamie Paxton, Chris Sterling; two great-grandchildren Ryleigh and Connor Paxton; many nieces and nephews; and special friends Clarice Michal and Paulette Magnuson.

Memorial Service: 11:00am, Monday, October 28, 2024 at Faith United Methodist, Fargo, ND with a visitation one hour prior. The service will be livestreamed on the funeral home website.
Burial: Fargo National Cemetery, Harwood, ND.

Arrangements are entrusted to Hanson-Runsvold Funeral Home - Fargo, ND