Joan Marie Nelson was born April 23, 1952, in Philip, South Dakota, to James and Marion (Hoag) Nelson. She grew up in Philip and graduated from Philip High School in 1970. Later she graduated from South Dakota State University with a home economics degree and teaching certificate.

Joan was united in marriage to Robert Fortune on March 8, 1974, in Philip, South Dakota. They made their home on a ranch near Hermosa until 1979 when they moved to a ranch south of Interior. They ranched near Interior until 1988 when they moved onto their present ranch near White River, south of Belvidere. They operated the Fortune Ranch Adventures, which was an opportunity for people to live with them and give them experience and opportunity to learn about ranch life.

Survivors include her husband, Robert "Bob" Fortune, of Belvidere; three sons, Chuck Fortune of LaGrange, Wyoming, Leslie Fortune of Belvidere, and Patrick Fortune of Belvidere; one daughter, Francis Fortune, of Belvidere; her parents, James and Marion Nelson, of Philip; one brother, Mark (Karen) Nelson, of Philip; five sisters, Beth (Dave) Flom of Midland, Jeanne (Eric) Hansen of Anchorage, Alaska, Kay (Tim) Modde of Utah, Ruth (Fred) Zebroski of Lander, Wyoming, and Sue (Bob) Titus, of Boston, Massachusetts; and a host of other relatives and friends.

Joan was preceded in death by two children in infancy.

FUNERAL SERVICES
Wednesday, March 4, 1998
11:00 a.m.
City Auditorium
Kadoka, South Dakota
OFFICIATING
Reverend Gary McCubbin
MUSIC
Syd Iwan - Organist
Terry Karrels - Vocalist
USHERS
Allen Badure - Larry Dolezal
ACTIVE PALLBEARERS
Dan Rasmussen - Chris Elwood
Mike Karrels - Kenny Fox
Chuck Willard - John Kaiser
HONORARY PALLBEARERS
All Relatives and Friends in Attendance
INTERMENT
Belvidere Cemetery
Belvidere, South Dakota