JoAnn Elizabeth Bina

JoAnn Elizabeth (Didrikson) Bina, age 75, of Dent, Minn., died Thursday, Oct. 15, 2015, at the Pelican Valley Nursing Home, Pelican Rapids, Minn., surrounded by the love and support of her family. She'll always be remembered for her gentle, selfless nature, her wellspring of laughter and tireless work ethic. JoAnn Elizabeth Didrikson was born Sept. 9, 1940, in Roseau, Minn., to Jonas and Elizabeth (Brotherston) Didrikson. The youngest of eight children, she was baptized at Nannestad Lutheran Church, Badger, Minn. She attended the Northwest School of Agriculture, University of Minnesota Crookston, where she was crowned homecoming queen, graduating in 1958. She then attended Mayville State Teacher's College in secretarial studies. It was there she met Ron, and on Nov. 24, 1962, JoAnn and Ron where united in marriage in Badger, Minn. They had three children: Zaundra, Kyle (deceased), and Tonya. As testament to their 53 years of a strong marriage, Ron and JoAnn as business partners owned and operated the Galaxy Resort on beautiful Star Lake for 35 years after having moved from a suburb of Chicago, Ill. As well as her dedication to ensuring a tidy household and hospitable business, JoAnn loved decorating for holidays, baking cookies at Christmastime, caring for her flower gardens and the neighborhood cats, acing everyone in the card games Canasta and Whist, joining friends at the annual We Fest, bowling (having often scored 200-plus), watching the Vikings and Twins, following Zaundra's volleyball coaching career and teams, daughter Tonya's journalism career, and visiting with family and friends. She also loved to travel, and several times she visited Norway (her heritage) and countries in Europe and Eastern Europe.JoAnn is survived by her husband, Ronald Bina, Dent; daughters: Zaundra Bina, Fargo, ND; and Tonya (Scott Munn), Grand Lake, Colo.; granddaughter, Ashlyn Elizabeth Munn; sisters: Etta Mooney and Eva Gregerson; and many nieces and nephews.She is preceded in death by her son, Kyle (age 3, 1969) her parents Elizabeth (Brotherston) and Jonas Didrikson, and five siblings: Jesse Belgum, Marvin Didrikson, George Didrikson, Severt Didrikson, and Dorothy Grotte.Visitation: 5-7 p.m., Tuesday, Oct. 20, 2015, with a Prayer Service at 7 p.m.at Larson Funeral Home, Pelican Rapids, Minn. Visitation will continue one hour prior to the service at the church.Celebration of Life Service: 11 a.m., Wednesday, Oct. 21, 2015, at Trinity Lutheran Church, Pelican Rapids, Minn.Clergy: Pastor Scott BlockBurial: Ringsaker Cemetery, Pelican Rapids, Minn.Funeral Home:Larson Funeral Home304 3rd Street S.E.Pelican Rapids, MNUS 56572