JoAnn Carlson, 81, of Flandreau, and formerly of Arlington, passed away on Sunday, October 24, 2021 at the Riverview Healthcare Center in Flandreau.  Funeral services will be held on Friday, October 29, 2021 at 2:00 P.M. at Eidsness Funeral Home in Brookings.  A time of visitation will immediately precede the service, beginning at 1:00 P.M.  Burial will follow the funeral service at Poinsett Cemetery, rural Arlington, South Dakota.

JoAnne F. Carlson was born on August 6, 1940 to  Chris and Cora (Svane) Moen at Estelline, SD.  She spent her childhood living on the family farm on the south side of Lake Poinsett and received her schooling in Brookings County.  She met and married the love of her life, LeRoy Carlson and they were married at her family home on October 18, 1956. In January of 1961 they moved from Dell Rapids to rural Bruce, SD and would live near Oakwood State Park until 1995 when LeRoy retired and they  bought a house at Lake Poinsett.  She moved to Brookings after LeRoy passed away on June 28, 2013 and entered Riverview Health Care Center on Sept ember 3, 2019 until her death on October 24, 2021.

She was employed at various jobs once her children were all in school with most of her career at Larson Manufacturing in Brookings.  She retired in 2013 from Daktronics.

She loved dancing, bowling, fishing, flowers and gardening, playing cards, reading and all animals.  She especially loved spending time with her family, her grandchildren, and friends.

She is survived by  her children: Sherry Nesheim of Sioux Falls, SD, Lois (Dave) Eller, Donna (Dale) Tolk, and Todd (Crystal) Carlson  all of Brookings, SD; 9 grandchildren; 8 great-grandchildren; sisters: Rose Jurgens of Estelline, SD, Marilyn Farinella, OR; sister-in-law June Carlson; brother-in-law Floyd (Norma) Carlson of Lake Norden, SD; and special friend, Elsie Stibral.

She was preceded in death by her parents; husband LeRoy; two infant sons; son-in-law Ron Nesheim; an infant sister; her brother Chris; and many other relatives and friends.

We will all love and miss her greatly.  We thank all the wonderful people who cared for her over the last few years especially the staff at Avera and Riverview Health Care Center.  If you wish to do a memorial, please donate to your local animal shelter or a charity of your choice.