Joan Marie Montgomery

Beloved Wife, Mother and Nana, Joan Montgomery, 65, of Fargo, ND, went home to be with the Lord on August 17, 2016 at Eventide on 8th in Moorhead, MN. Joan Marie Rydell was born on November 11, 1950 in Breckenridge, MN to Merlin and Evelyn (Sando) Rydell.

Joan was happily married to Mike Montgomery for 44 years and their marriage was a partnership in ministry. Their ministry reached broadly but began in Tahlequah, Oklahoma in 1973 where they served as dorm parents for a Christian high school. In 1981 they moved back to Grand Forks, ND and eventually partnered in ministry at Faith Evangelical Free Church. Mike was the youth pastor and Joan hosted countless Wednesday night youth groups at their home. She also prayed unceasingly for safety as Mike took junior high and high school students all over the country and world for various trips which always encountered interesting adventures…but everyone always came home safely! God took Mike and Joan on other ministry assignments to Arizona, Minneapolis and ultimately brought them to the wonderful church community of Salem Evangelical Free Church. Joan had a great love for the Salem Evangelical Free Church Community and always spoke joyfully of their opportunities to host people and small groups into their home or at the church. Her partnership in ministry with Mike was a part of her calling and she embraced it well with her gifts of hospitality, service and encouragement to others.

Joan is also remembered as a beautiful Mother and Nana. Though her children and grandchildren are spread throughout the country their favorite moments were always times together as a family. Joan and Mike created a home of joy that the family always loved to come home to; favorite family times involved trips to the lake, Christmas ginger bread house making and turkey bowling during Thanksgiving. Home was always filled with love, laughter and great food. Joan’s children and grandkids loved her Rice Krispy bars, lasagna, chicken enchilada hot dish and fruit pizza! She passes on a rich legacy to her children and grandchildren and she will be remembered for many things including her hugs and smile that always greeted them at the door… Most importantly though, she is remembered as a mom and Nana who had a great faith in God, His goodness and faithful provisions. She prayed for God’s blessings continuously for her children and grandchildren and their lives are markedly blessed because of Joan’s faith and commitment to prayer.

Joan is survived by her husband, Mike; daughter, Shannon (Tim) Demant, Spokane, WA; sons, Chad (Morgana Lambeth) Montgomery, Chicago, IL; Marcus Montgomery, Fridley, MN; grandchildren, Joshua, Katelyn, and Janae Demant; siblings, Connie Olson; Chuck (Cathy) Rydell; and Karen (Chuck) Shaffner.

She was preceded in death by her parents and her brothers-in-law, Gary Olson and Rich Carl.