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Joanne Mennis, 78, passed away Sunday, June 26, 2016 at the Sheyenne Care Center in Valley City, ND with her family at her side. Funeral services will be conducted at 10:30 AM Thursday, June 30, 2016 at Faith Lutheran Church in Valley City with Rev. Jolene Knudsen-Hanse officiating. Visitation will be from 5PM until 7PM Wednesday at the Lerud-Schuldt Funeral Home with a Prayer Service beginning at 7PM led by Rev. Brad Edin. Visitation will continue one prior to services at the church on Thursday. Interment will take place in the North LaMoure Cemetery.
Phyllis was born January 7, 1938 in rural Horace, ND to Melvin & Mabel (Rue) Graalum. They moved to rural Kathryn when she was a young child where she attended school. Phyllis graduated from Hastings High School in 1955 and was a team basketball player for the Hastings Panthers. She was confirmed at Nordheim Lutheran Church.
Phyllis married Carlton Mennis on June 2, 1957 at the Nordheim Lutheran Church, rural Kathryn. They lived on the homesteaded family farm in the North LaMoure community for over 50 years where they farmed and raised a family of four. In the fall of 2010, they moved to Valley City. Carlton passed away in January of 2013. Phyllis moved to Fargo that fall until recently coming to the Sheyenne Care Center.
A huge part of Phyllis’ life was the North LaMoure community and church. She served in many capacities in the church. She led a strong faith-filled life there. She also enjoyed writing the North LaMoure news for the Litchville Bulletin for 30-plus years.
Phyllis was a devoted homemaker, wife, mother & grandmother. She had a kind spirit and quiet demeanor which drew people to her. She loved playing cards, bowling, dancing, music, participating in anything her kids were interested in, sewing and baking. She was always a hardworking lady. She had a beautiful smile with a silly sense of humor and laugh. Despite her many health challenges in her life you rarely heard her complain. She remained thankful for her life.
She leaves behind four children: Diane (Gary) Sommerfeld, Valley City, Steve (Mindy) Mennis, Jamestown, Stacey Klemisch, West Fargo, and Brian Mennis, Wahpeton; 8 precious grandchildren, and 6 great-grandchildren; a brother, Duane (Faye) Graalum, Valley City; and sister, Marlys (Bob) Davis, Fargo. Two nieces, 4 nephews and several cousins also survive.
She was preceded in death by her husband, Carlton, her parents, a son-in-law, and 1 great-granddaughter. Blessed be her memory.
An online guest book is available at www.lerudschuldt.com.