Joanne Geisinger

Joanne Darlene Geisinger, 83 of Rugby died Friday, February 13, 2026, unexpectedly at her home in Rugby, North Dakota. She was born on September 22, 1942 to Adam and Frieda (Schwab) Kempel.

Joanne was raised on their farm in rural Engelvale. While attending school, her winter months were spent staying in town with a family, so she could attend school, as buses didn’t run during those months. She graduated from Lisbon High School and continued her education, proudly completing her nursing degree at North Dakota State College in Wahpeton. She began her nursing career and that brought her to training in Rugby, where she met her future husband. On January 12, 1963, she was united in marriage to Richard Geisinger. They began their life in McVille for a short time before returning to Rugby, where they made their home. The couple was blessed with three girls, Tracy, Patty and Kathy. Joanne continued her nursing career part-time, working nights, as raising her girls was the most important thing for her. She lost her husband at an early age in 1987 and continued to care for her home and family. Providing for her family was important. Most of her career was working at the Haaland Home in Rugby and she retired in her late sixties.

Joanne was not only a hard worker, she volunteered for the hospital and community, also took great pride in giving to others. In her spare time, she enjoyed fishing, baking, camping, board games, shopping, tending to her yard, traveling and her time with the 1st Lutheran Quilters. She enjoyed sharing a good ice cream twist cone or s’more with her grandkids. Shopping with her was an adventure, never knowing what the day would bring or what sale she would find. She always seemed to find gifts to give, nothing made her happier than giving and watching their faces as they opened as she thought thoroughly about every gift she gave. Traveling was also a passion. She would travel with family and friends, some highlights were Hawaii, Washington D.C, Alaska, Arizona, a Caribbean Cruise and for her 80th birthday a family trip to the Black Hills, where she wouldn’t leave without that helicopter ride! Family was her world, so any time spent with them was a blessing. Holidays also meant family time, so being together for the holidays was a must and included plenty of food, gifts, cakes, games and decorating to the hilt for all holidays. Joanne had a heart of gold, loved her family, always making them feel special, loved her life at her farm, and lived a blessed, fulfilled life. She will be dearly missed, but her positive, spunky, loving spirit will live on through her family.

Joanne is survived by her children, Tracy (Steve) Follman of Towner, Kathy (Chad) Bogar of Rugby and Patty (Steve) Hoffman of Bismarck; grandchildren, Dulcie Follman (Mike Durbin), Jaycee (Jackson) Kleven, Anna, Caylee and Evelyn Bogar; great grandchildren, Dawson and Piper Kleven and Gatlin Durbin; sister, Beverly Krentz of Valley City; nieces, nephews; other relatives and friends. She was preceded in death by her husband, Richard; parents, Adam & Frieda Kempel; a sister, Janice Hansen; brothers-in-law, Ed Hansen and Phil Krentz.

Funeral services will be held at 11:00 a.m. Friday, February 20th at the Anderson Funeral Home in Rugby with lunch and fellowship to follow at Dakota Farms on Highway 3 in Rugby. Pastor Sharon Baker, officiating. Burial will take place in the spring at Little Flower Catholic Cemetery in Rugby.

Readers: Anna Bogar and Jaycee Kleven

Honorary Bearers: Grandchildren and Great Grandchildren

In lieu of flowers, the family requests donations be made in Joanne’s memory/honor to the 1st Lutheran Quilters or the HAMC Volunteers.

Arrangements with the Anderson Funeral Home of Rugby. Online registry: www.funerals byanderson.com

Published by The Pierce County Tribune, February 21, 2026.