Joanne M. Close, age 65, of Devils Lake, ND, passed away April 7, 2025. She was born on Feb. 18, 1960, in Devils Lake, ND, to Charles and Betty (Torkildson) Grafsgaard. Joanne was raised and educated in Devils Lake, where she built a life filled with love and service to others.
Joanne married Kim Close in 1989, and together they raised four children. Joanne was a devoted mother and grandmother, cherished by her grandson, Kason.
Joanne worked for many years as a CNA at The Good Samaritan Home, Lake Region Lutheran Home, and briefly in Cando, ND. Due to health issues, she retired early, but her legacy of compassionate care and dedication to others lives on in the lives she touched.
Joanne and her family moved to Starkweather, ND, in 1991, and later returned to Devils Lake in 2005. Throughout her life, Joanne found joy in simple pleasures like Facebook, sharing recipes, music, playing BINGO, and visiting the casino. However, what brought her the most happiness was spending time with her family and her cat, Princess.
Joanne is survived by her husband, Kim Close; her children, Christopher Grafsgaard, Misty (Andy) Dockter, Jacob (Michelle) Close, and Travis Close; her beloved grandson, Kason; and her siblings, Gerald (Audrey) Grafsgaard, John Grafsgaard, Carol Reese (Steve Eckes), Gary Grafsgaard, Charlotte (Richard) Rardon, and Mike Grafsgaard, all of Devils Lake nieces, and nephews Vickie (Josh) Cofer, Fr. Thomas Grafsgaard, Matthew (Emily) Grafsgaard, Brian (Michelle) Grafsgaard, Amanda Brown, DC (Sam) Reese, Dustin (Sara) Reese, Diana Reese, Darrick (Lilly) Reese, Daniel (Andrea) Reese, Kasey (Jesse) Eversvik, Karey Rardon, Kodey Rardon , Jaydon (Heidi) Grafsgaard, Nate Grafsgaard, Jennica Grafsgaard; many great nieces, great nephews and cousins. She is also survived by her uncle Jimmy (Althea) Torkildson of Florida, and a large extended family, including many nieces, nephews, great nieces, great nephews, and cousins.
Joanne was preceded in death by her parents, Charles and Betty Grafsgaard, brother Duane Grafsgaard, in-laws Lavonne & Swede Strand, Eugene Close, brother-in-law Korrie Close.
Pallbearers will be Joanne’s nieces and nephews.
A celebration of Joanne’s life will be held at Gilbertson Funeral Home, Devils Lake, ND on Sunday, April 13, 2025, at 4:30 p.m. Visitation will begin at 2:00 p.m. prior to the funeral service. Burial will take place at the Bethlehem Cemetery, rural McHenry at a later date.
