JoAnn was born on January 8, 1943, to Ernest and Alma (Bourne) Fosness in Anaconda MT, she was later joined by her one brother Daniel (Dan) thirteen years later.

JoAnn grew up in Wall, SD and attended all twelve years of school in Wall, graduating in 1961. She then went to work for Golden West Telephone Company in Wall to be able to stay home and help her mother and Dan after her father’s death in 1961. She was an active member of the Lutheran Church in Wall.

JoAnn married Carl (Jerry) Sanders in 1962. They raised four children, Dawn, Doreen, Dalton and Darin, the love of their lives. The family enjoyed many years of camping, fishing, ball games, Scouts, church activities and just spending time together and with friends.

JoAnn was a youth choir director, taught Sunday School and Bible School, was a Brownie Scout Leader and was involved in many of the children’s activities. Her interests always revolved around her family.

The family moved to Pierre SD in 1968. JoAnn was a stay-at-home mother until the youngest (Darin) went to school. JoAnn then returned to work starting at First National Bank 1974-1983 then to Office Manager at Performance Banker Inc, 1983-85; then to Administrative Assistant to the State Auditor from 1985-1992; Office Manager for SD Rural Electric Association from 1992-1996. After a full career JoAnn retired, and she and Jerry moved to Rapid City until 2005 when they returned to Pierre to be near family. JoAnn said she had the best of both worlds, she was a stay-at-home mother and then a working mother.

With the move back to Pierre, JoAnn and Jerry rejoined Faith Lutheran Church, JoAnn served on the Alter Guild which meant a great deal to her. She and Jerry were active members of the Pierre Senior Center, she volunteered at the Hospice Store and enjoyed having coffee with friends and family and playing Canasta weekly with a group of friends. She enjoyed crocheting, planting and caring for her flowers, fishing, camping and observing God’s nature. JoAnn’s love of family and friends (each and every one) brought her joy and meant more to her than words can say.

Grateful for having shared in her life are her husband of 63 years Jerry, children, Dawn (Darren) Boyle, Doreen (Ron) Kayser, Dalton (Colleen) Sanders and Darin (Doneen) Sanders; 9 grandchildren: Josh, Jared, Weston, Seth, Danna, Danyelle, Brooke, Carlee, and Katie, 13 great-grandchildren and more to come; her brother Dan (Trudye) Fosness and their children and grandchildren along with numerous cousins, nieces and nephews and extended family and friends.

She was preceded in death by her parents Alma and Ernest Fosness, her grandparents, and numerous aunts, uncles, and cousins.

Memorials may be directed to Countryside Hospice of Pierre and Faith Lutheran Church of Pierre.

The family of JoAnn would like to express our sincere gratitude to all the staff at Avantara Pierre, Peaceful Pines Senior Living Ft. Pierre and Countryside Hospice Pierre for the loving care provided to JoAnn and to Pastor Sam Handschke and Pastor Brad Urbach for all that they have done. -Jerry and Family-

A Celebration of Life will be held at 10:00 a.m. CDT on Monday, September 29, 2025 at the Faith Evangelical Lutheran Church (714 N Grand Avenue) in Pierre.

Burial will be held at 9:00 a.m. MDT on Tuesday, September 30, 2025 at Black Hills National Cemetery near Sturgis.