Margaret “JoAnne” Deringer passed away peacefully at her home June 23, 2024. A memorial service will be held on Wednesday, June 26, 2024, at 10:30am at Good Shepherd Lutheran Church with Pastor Bill Rindy officiating. Family will be receiving guests at the church one hour prior to the service. Burial will take place at Sunny Slope Cemetery in Mott, ND.
JoAnne was born November 25, 1936, to William and Ella (Hintz) Mees, the middle daughter of three sisters. Always the industrious one, mom started working at age 9, waiting tables in her uncle’s restaurant. She took on babysitting and other part time jobs around her small town of Mott, ND.
She met and eventually married Leslie Buchholz. Two children were born from this union, Scott and Susan. They farmed west of Mott with mom taking on many duties new to a city kid, including but not limited to, feeding bottle lambs around the clock, yard work, feeding the cats milk out of hub caps, and many other duties as assigned, along with keeping two kids out of harm’s way. That was her day job, as she worked nights as a telephone operator for Northwestern Bell Telephone. The family then moved to Bismarck and dad started a farm implement dealership, with mom working alongside him keeping the books. The business flourished, but they grew apart and their marriage ended in divorce.
Mom dug in her heels and was employed by White Drug, ND Housing and Finance, and what is now Sanford Hospital. She was briefly married to Pius Deringer. When she finally retired, she was admittedly a bit lost, so volunteering filled the void. She volunteered at church, as well as Central Dakota Humane Society. She took over laundry duties and the towels and washcloths have never been folded so perfectly since. She spent hours every day keeping the washing machines humming and enjoyed visiting with staff and volunteers. She then started cooking special meals for the shelter residents. Her chicken soup concoction was very popular, and the batches kept getting bigger because she wanted every cat and dog to have a treat. Even after she “retired again” from her shelter gig, she continued to help with mailings and other projects from her home.
Mom recently moved into Missouri Slope Assisted Living and truly enjoyed the staff and friendships she made there. As her health challenges grew, she eventually needed 24/7 care, so the crew of Love and Care Home Health Care came into our lives. I know in my heart that the excellent care provided by all her staff that became friends gave us more time with her, and we are forever grateful.
Mom is the last of her generation. She was preceded in death by her parents; sisters, Ardyce Reisenauer and Janice Widenhoefer.
Left here to manage this cavernous void she leaves behind is son, Scott (Leanne); grandchildren, Danyell Peterson, Amber (Bill) Poland (great grandchildren, Ashlynn, Ben, and Ryan); Aaron Buchholz; and daughter, Sue Buchholz. Mom always cherished retaining her membership in the “Buchholz” family, and leaves behind sisters and brothers-in-law that maintained contact throughout her life. Mom developed special friendships with Annette, Sunny, Binta, Anna, friends from Bible study and Sunday Caring Singles.
“Well done, my good and faithful servant.” Good night, mom, I love you.
Memorials may be given to the Central Dakota Humane Society or Good Shepherd Lutheran Church.