JoAnn Riske

JoAnn Riske, age 69 of Forest River, ND passed away on Tuesday, April 12, 2022 at the Altru Hospital of Grand Forks.


JoAnn Cheri Riske was born July 20, 1952 in Grand Forks, ND, the daughter of the late Jack Bellinger and Beverly Hiney.  She grew up in Texas, Arizona, New Mexico and North Dakota.  JoAnn was united in marriage to John H. Riske on August 21, 1970 at St. John the Baptist Catholic Church of Ardoch, ND. They made their home in Forest River, ND. JoAnn worked for many years as a cook at Midway School in Inkster, ND and took pride in her job and being a part of so many children’s lives. After Midway School she worked at Marvin Windows in Grafton, ND until her retirement.


JoAnn was a member of St. John the Baptist Catholic Church, Ardoch, ND and Sacred Heart Catholic Church of Minto, ND. She taught religion classes and was a member of the Altar Society. Throughout her life she enjoyed sewing, baking, spending time with family and being a member of the Homemakers Club and Legion Auxiliary. JoAnn loved attending her grandchildren’s sporting events and cheering them on.


She will be greatly missed by her children: Patrick (Diane) Riske, Forest River, ND; Kathryn Duben, Andrson, SC; grandchildren: Andrew and Anna Riske; siblings: Lola Hansmann, San Antonio, TX; Dick (Becky) Bellinger, Pueblo, CO; Torn Bellinger, Lansford, ND; step-father, Joe Goodman, San Antonio, TX; siblings-in-law: Patty (David) Wilson, East Grand Forks, MN; Mary Ann Bayne, Belpre, OH; Donnie (Bonnie) Riske, Forest River, ND; Kathy (Rodger) Common, Mesa, AZ; Hilary “Butch” (Julie) Riske, Grand Forks, ND; Christine (Vernon) Langowski, Grand Forks, ND. She was preceded in death by her husband, parents, grandparents, brother-in-law, mother-in-law and father-in-law.


Mass of Christian Burial will be Wednesday, April 20 at 10:30 AM at Sacred Heart Catholic Church of Minto. Visitation will be Wednesday for one hour prior to the service. Interment will be in Forest River, ND.

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