Joan Ertelt, age 78, of Valley City, ND, died Tuesday, December 3rd at her home surrounded by her family under hospice care. A vigil service will be held at 7:00 PM Monday, December 9th at the Lerud Mathias Funeral Home Chapel in Valley City. Visitation will be held on Monday from 5:00 PM until 7:00 PM at the funeral home. Interment will be at 11:00 AM Tuesday, December 10th at St. Bernard's Catholic Cemetery, Oriska, ND.

Joan Mae Kading, the daughter of Arthur and Evelyn (Kappel) Kading, was born May 18, 1941 in Ada, MN. Joan grew up and attended school in Felton, MN before moving with her family to California. In 1955, the family moved back to Fargo, ND where Joan graduated from Fargo Central High School in 1959. After her graduation, she worked at various banks in the Trust Department in the Fargo area. On August 30, 1974 she was united in marriage to Jerome Ertelt at St. Anthony's Catholic Church in Fargo, ND. The couple lived in Fargo where they managed various apartment buildings. In 1997, the couple returned to the Ertelt family farm where Jerome and Joan ran and operated Ertelt Painting until Jerome's health declined and then she cared for Jerome. Joan was a past member of the Fargo-Moorhead Legal Secretary Association and the American Bankers' Association. Joan loved gardening, canning, reading, watching HG-TV and playing with her grandchildren. Joan especially loved the time she was able to spend taking care of John, Parker and Katy Chase who were very special to her.

Joan is survived by her son Justin (Kristie) Ertelt, Fargo, ND; three grandchildren, Kylie, Josiah and Lucy Ertelt, Fargo, ND; two brothers, David (Nancy) Kading and Vernon (Jeanne) Kading, all Fargo, ND; three sisters, Arlene (Wallace) Waddel, Seaside, California, Marian (Zak) Aberle, Cottonwood, AZ and Joyce (Bob) Kenney, Fargo, ND; numerous nieces and nephews.

Joan was preceded in death by her husband Jerome, her parents, one sister Angeline Buchanan and one brother Marvin Kading.

In lieu of flowers, the family prefers donations be made to St. Bernard's Catholic Church, Oriska, ND.