E. Joanne Brokaw

E. Joanne (Ladd) Brokaw, 90, passed away at her home on Thursday, February 13, 2025. Hospice of Red River Valley, along with her children, grandchildren and great-grandchildren, cared for and provided her comfort during the last months of her life.

 Joanne was born February 15, 1934 in McPherson County, SD to Emily (Hoffman) and Harold Ladd. She graduated from Forbes Public School and attended summer school for teacher certification at Normal Industrial School in Ellendale. She taught country school for one year before marrying Jim Brokaw on September 6, 1952. They farmed and ranched together throughout their married life, raising cattle and sheep.

 Being an only child, Joanne desired to have a large family, and she did; she raised nine children and nurtured any others who dropped in, stayed and/or worked on the farm. She cooked, canned, sewed, gardened, and worked outside wherever needed. She instilled feminism in her children and grandchildren who saw her ride horse, drive tractor and truck on the ranch and support women’s causes at church, in political campaigns and in discussions while watching the news. She was always involved in politics–both locally and nationally. She made a compromise with Jim when they married: she would change religion but not politics. Therefore, she became Roman Catholic and Jim became a Democrat; she lived by the social justice issues important to both organizations. 

 After sending all of her children off into the world, she became a CNA and worked for over 20 years at the Ashley Medical Center skilled-nursing facility.

 She is survived by Greg Brokaw, Cheryl Brokaw, Kevin & Jackie Brokaw, Kay & Keith Kronberg, Lois Baer, Mary Jo & Norm Fries, Carol & Doug Kindelspire, Lynn Brokaw & Tom Samson, and Lloyd Brokaw. She is also survived by 23 grandchildren, 40 great grandchildren, 2 great great grandchildren, and many nieces and nephews. As the matriarch, she was loved and respected and will be missed by all.

 Preceding her in death were her parents Harold and Emily, husband Jim, son Kim, 2 grandsons, 2 great grandchildren and her special friend Joe Dethlefsen.

 Visitation is 2-6:30pm Tuesday, February 25, with a Rosary and Vigil following at 7pm all at Hoven Funeral Chapel. Mass of Christian Burial is 11:00am Wednesday, February 26, at St. Helena’s Catholic Church, Ellendale with Father Patrick Parks officiating. Burial is at Ellendale City Cemetery. Joanne’s service will be live-streamed at hovenfuneralchapel.com on her obituary page. Please send memorials to Hospice of the Red River Valley, Attn: Philanthropy, 3800 56th Ave. S.; Fargo, ND 58104. Arrangements by Hoven Funeral Chapel, Ellendale, ND

To watch the service live: keep moving down this page and watch for a black box. At time of the service, click the red area to start the live stream. Please note the service is also recorded and saved here for viewing at a later time.