Joetta Mae Meland was born to Karl and Clarice Lokken Meland on December 20, 1943.

She was baptized as a baby and confirmed at White Earth Lutheran Church in White Earth, ND.

Joetta attended grade school at Manitou, ND and three years of high school in White Earth, ND. She graduated from Severson High School in Stanley, ND.

She loved sports. She played basketball on the girl’s team in White Earth and was a cheerleader from 7th grade through 11th grade. She loved animals, especially horses.

Joetta met Maynard Iverson and they were married on March 10, 1966. They had 4 children, Eleanor Mae, Deon Maynard, Daren Mark and Deborah Marie. She loved her children and they all worked hard so they could fish, picnic, ride horse back and play games.

The most important part in Joetta’s life was her faith and teaching her children about Jesus.

Joetta was a member of Trinity Church, an officer in the WELCA, Sunday School teacher, a room mother for each of her children in School, 4-H teacher and belonged to the Peaceful Valley Quilt Club. She made many quilts for L.W.R., her family and Bible Camp Auctions. She also loved to crochet, gifting many of her items away.

She was a caregiver to many people in and out of her home.

Maynard was the love of her life. They depended on each other and did almost everything together including farming and ranching, raising cattle and registered quarter horses. They went to church together, rode horseback, danced, played accordion and traveled south the last 20 years plus. Their grandchildren she often said were grandpa and grandma’s little angles from God.

The last few years Joetta and Maynard started going to Zion Free Lutheran Church which was easier for them to both get ready and be to church at 10:30 am instead of 9:00 am. They immediately fell in love with Pastor Chris and all the people at Zion. Mom had hoped to transfer their membership but after entering the Tioga Medical Center, Long Term Care it was not able to happen. She truly was a member by heart.

Joetta loved life and everyone she met.

Joetta is survived by her children, Eleanor (Jeff) Moe, Deon (Shana) Iverson, Deborah (Erik) Trones; brothers, Larry (Debbie) Meland, David (Kathi) Meland; sisters, Darlene (Robert) Footh, Carol (Ron) Fladager, Marie Louise Opdahl; grandchildren and great-grandchildren, Devin (Justine) Iverson, Jace (Kylie) Jax and Henley Iverson, Jaden (Kate) Warren Iverson, Sara Iverson, Erin Westby, Kayla (Dakota) Savage Caiden Johnson, Ethan Trones; numerous nieces, nephews and friends.

She was preceded in death by her loving husband, Maynard; parents, Clarice and Karl Meland; infant son, Daren Mark Iverson; grandparents, Olga and Ole Lokken, Karina and Lars Meland; infant brother, Gary Karl Meland; grandson, Tarin Lee Westby; mother and father-in-law, Martha and Philip Iverson.