Joanne E. (Hanson) Negstad, 82, died April 12, 2018, at her home surrounded by her family.
Joanne spent her childhood in St. Anthony Park, where she attended local schools and St. Anthony Park Lutheran Church. As a woman in leadership she was a role model and mentor to many. Joanne died as she lived, filled with grace, affirmation and gratitude.
She was born April 1, 1936, to the Rev. Oscar C. and Myrtle (Lokken) Hanson in Minneapolis. A graduate of Minnehaha Academy High School and Concordia College, Moorhead, Minn. (she received Concordia’s Distinguished Alumni Award 1999), she received a master’s degree from the University of Minnesota.
She helped found the American Lutheran Church in Oslo, Norway. Joanne was on the faculty of Augustana Academy and Augustana University, both in South Dakota, and she was a counselor at St. Louis Park High School in Minnesota.
She was western region director of Lutheran Social Services Illinois; vice president of Lutheran Social Service Minnesota; executive director of Minnesota Social Services Association; founding president and CEO of Lutheran Services in America; president and CEO of Lutheran Social Services South Dakota; and worked in mission advancement at Lutheran World Relief until retirement in 2009.
She was preceded in death by her parents, Oscar and Myrtle Hanson, and foster daughter, Cathy May. She is survived by her husband, the Rev. Allan Negstad; daughter, Lisa Negstad; son, Lars Negstad (Melissa Townsend); five grandchildren; sister, Mary Trodahl (Christopher); brother, the Rev. Mark Hanson (Ione);
Her funeral was held at Grace University Lutheran Church, Minneapolis, April 21. Graveside service was held April 28 at West Sinai Lutheran Cemetery, Sinai, S.D.
