Joanne E. Sipe, 90, of Moorhead, MN, passed away on Tuesday, March 31, 2026, at Eventide on 8th and under the care of Ethos Hospice.

Joanne Elenore Pake was born February 7, 1936, the daughter of HC (Neal) and Frieda (Johnson) Pake, Dilworth, MN. She graduated from Felton High School as Valedictorian of the Class of 1954. She attended Concordia College and Interstate Business College. She was employed as the Secretary to Superintendent Justin Swenson in Moorhead Schools. She returned to Moorhead Schools as a secretary after her children were born. In retirement, she worked at the Sweater Chalet – a family owned store in the Moorhead Center Mall and worked at Kvamme Real Estate for a number of years.

Joanne was united in marriage to Albert E. Sipe Jr. (Bill) on October 21, 1956, at Trinity Lutheran Church, Moorhead, MN. A reception in the Fellowship Hall for 425 guests followed the ceremony. Bill enlisted in the Air Force in 1955 and was stationed at Lackland Air Base, San Antonio, TX. Joanne joined Bill in TX after their marriage. When Bill was deployed to England, Joanne returned to Minnesota to have their 1st child, Dean.

Family was very important to Joanne. She and Bill were blessed with five children: Dean, Randy, Tim, Linda Jo, and Wendy. They moved to Wall Street in 1962. Linda Jo was born on March 17, 1966, with heart issues. She entered the University of Minnesota Hospital on June 27th and passed away on August 21st. After Wendy was born, many summer weekends were spent in their "pop up" camper on Camper's Point on Pelican Lake in MN, along with other families who had campers. Other camping trips were taken through Mount Rushmore to visit family and multiple fishing trips to Canada. Joanne even caught a 27 pound Northern Pike! Many great "forever memories" were made. Dean graduated from Moorhead High School in 1977. He planned to attend NDSU in the Fall, majoring in Engineering, but his life was cut short when he lost his life in a car accident on June 24th, 1977. Like Linda Jo's death, this was a very difficult time for all who loved them.

Joanne had an unwavering faith in her Lord, who guided her and carried her through the wonderful times of her life and the difficult times as well. North Buffalo Lutheran Church has been the family church for decades. Joanne was confirmed there on June 12th, 1949. There have been three generations of Joanne's family baptized and confirmed at North Buffalo. Serving was very important to Joanne, and she was very active in her church. She was a member of the Ruth Circle, the Quilters, the Choir, and for a time, the Treasurer. She truly had a servant heart.

Joanne was an active member of Acapella Express, Sweet Adelines barbershop music organization. She had a beautiful voice and sang with them for 60 Years! Joanne also performed with two of her sisters, Marlys & Betty, in the "Forever More" Quartet. They performed in competitions in North America and England.

She will be deeply missed by her children, Randy & Lynn, Tim, Denver, CO and Wendy (Sipe) & Todd Maloney; sisters, Mary Wright and Betty Nelson; brother & sister-in-law, Don & Joan Pake; granddaughters, Cassandra Lyons & Jamie Case, Livia Lyons Lux, Alissa (Lyons) & Tim Anson, Mareena Sipe, Aysha Sipe, Tiana Sipe, Ciara Sipe, Sara (Maloney) & Adam Riley, Payton & Eli; Kristy (Maloney) & Bobby Hopper & Avry; AND many nieces & nephews, and cousins.

Joanne was preceded in death by her husband, Bill Sipe; parents; infant daughter, Linda Jo; and son, Dean Jeffery; sister, Marlys Dahl; brothers-in-law, Ernest Dahl, Casper Nelson & Jerry Wright; and nieces, Janet Hersrud & Deborah Zeller.

Visitation will be Friday, April 17, from 10:00 - 11:00 AM, followed by the funeral service at 11:00 AM, in North Buffalo Lutheran Church, Kragnes, MN.