M. Joann Meier

M. Joann Meier, age 73 of Grafton, ND passed away on Sunday, February 21, 2010 at the Unity Medical Center of Grafton. Mildred Joann Sellheim was born April 5, 1936 in Hensel, North Dakota the daughter of the late John and Mary (Skaro) Sellheim. She attended rural school there and graduated from Adams High School. Joann was united in marriage to Arnold Ferguson on December 8, 1956 in Adams. The couple made their home in Grafton where they raised their three children. Joann worked at the Carnegie Regional Library while their children were growing. She later married Gerald Meier on November 24, 1972. She graduated from Aaker's Business College in Grand Forks. Following graduation she worked as the Administrative Secretary at the Grafton Developmental Center from the mid 1970's to the early 1990's. Joann was also a well known waitress at the Market Place on 8th in Grafton. She was a member of the Grafton Lutheran Church and WELCA and the Grafton American Legion Auxiliary. Joann is survived by her children: Joleen (Keith) Bjorneby and Jeffrey (Christine) Ferguson both of Grafton, ND; Jacalyn (James) Schwab , Thief River Falls, MN; five grandchildren: Christopher (Christine) Bjorneby, Joshua (Patti) Bjorneby, both of Grafton, ND; Brandon and Britney Schwab, both of Thief River Falls, MN and Kirsten Ferguson of Grafton, ND; four great grandchildren: Claire, Emma, Anna and Molly Bjorneby; siblings: Joy Ferguson, Grafton ND; Bob (Edie) Sellheim, Fargo, ND; Leonard (Opal) Sellheim, Apache Junction, AZ; Richard (Irene) Sellheim, Adams, ND: Darlene Bjerke, Park River, ND. She was preceded in death by her parents, brothers: Willard, Virgil, John Jr. and Gordon and sister Betty Sellheim. Memorial services will be Thursday, February 25, 2010 at 11:00 A.M. at the Grafton Lutheran Church, Grafton, ND. Visitation will be Wednesday from 5-7 PM with a prayer service at 6:00 PM at the Tollefson Funeral Home of Grafton. Friends may also call at the church on Thursday for one hour prior to the service. Interment will be at the Grafton Lutheran Cemetery.