JoAnne Wentz, 89, of Napoleon, ND, died November 19, 2024. Funeral services will be held Monday, November 25, 2024 at 11:00 AM at Trinity Lutheran Church, Napoleon. Visitation will be held Sunday, November 24, 2024 from 4:00-5:00 PM with a prayer service at 5:00 PM at Feist Funeral Home, Napoleon. Burial will take place at the Napoleon City Cemetery.

JoAnne Schnabel was born in Bismarck, North Dakota, on December 30, 1934, to Daniel and Grace Mae (Farnam) Schnabel. She graduated from Napoleon High School in 1952 and attended Ellendale Teachers College in Ellendale, ND, for two summers. Following her studies, JoAnne taught grades 1 through 8 in a one-room country school near Burnstad and Kintyre for two years

On April 1, 1956, she married Warren Wentz in Napoleon, ND. They continued to live in Napoleon after their marriage, where JoAnne first worked for the Agricultural Stabilization and Conservation Service (ASCS) office. She later joined Warren at the Peavey Elevator, serving as an office manager and bookkeeper, until their retirement in 1995. After retiring, JoAnne returned to work for Logan County Special Education for a couple of years.

Known for her caring nature, JoAnne cherished her family deeply, placing great importance on family gatherings and holidays. She enjoyed preparing everyone's favorite dishes, including cookies, caramel rolls, and kuchen, even earning recognition as Logan County Kuchen winner during the Logan County Fair. At Christmas, she enjoyed sharing her cookies with friends in Napoleon. She was also gifted with the talent to play the piano by ear, learning many hymns and songs that her grandchildren and great-grandchildren enjoyed listening to her play.

JoAnne took pride in her beautiful flower garden and potted plants, frequently inviting friends and neighbors over for cookies and coffee in her backyard. While sitting in her backyard amongst her flower garden, JoAnne would often express her faith through her poetry and writing of her poems.

JoAnne was known for her witty one-liners that made everyone laugh. With a spirit of fun she was always ready for Happy Hour, often saying "It's five o'clock somewhere". She enjoyed bowling in the women's league with friends followed by drinks downtown, sometimes substituting in the men's league, where she maintained a competitive average score. In 2019, JoAnne was inducted into the Napoleon USBC Bowling Association Hall of Fame.

A dedicated member of Trinity Lutheran Church in Napoleon, and a member of the ladies church group. Both she and Warren were members of the Fraternal Order of Eagles in Bismarck.

Left to cherish her memory are her children: Deborah (Scott) Salmonson of Sun Lakes, AZ; Bruce (Janet) Wentz of Napoleon, ND; Lori Willson of Bismarck, ND; Scott (Rachel) Wentz of Fargo, ND; and Mark (Nancy) Wentz of West Fargo, ND. She is also survived by five grandchildren: Amanda (Denny) Grocott, Kevin Wentz, Tyler (Ally) Wentz, Jenaya Wentz, Sarah Wentz and Billy Willson, as well as two great-grandchildren, Grady and Emmett Grocott. Additionally, she is survived by her brother Charles and sisters Betty and Becky.

JoAnne is preceded in death by her husband Warren (November 1996), her parents Daniel and Grace Mae Schnabel, sisters LaVerne, Mary, Dena, and Edna, brother Walter, her infant brother David, daughter-in-law Paulette (Horner) Wentz, and son-in-law Terry Willson.

Memorials can be given in honor of JoAnne to:

Trinity Lutheran Church

423 2nd St E

Napoleon, ND 58561