JoAnn Papka, age 83, of Hettinger, ND, passed away on Monday morning, December 30, 2019 at the West River Regional Medical Center in Hettinger, ND.

Mass of Christian Burial for JoAnn will be held at 10:00 a.m. on Monday, January 6, 2020 at the Holy Trinity Catholic Church in Hettinger, ND.  Fr. Stephen Folorunso will officiate with burial in the Hettinger Cemetery.

A rosary and vigil service will be held at 7:00 p.m. on Sunday, January 5, 2020 at Holy Trinity Catholic Church.  Visitation will be one hour prior to services on Sunday evening and Monday morning.

JoAnn was born January 6, 1936 in Sioux City, IA. She was adopted at birth by her loving parents, George and Margaret (Mitchell) McMahon. She was raised in Buffalo, SD and graduated from Buffalo High School in 1954. Her first job was working at her dad's general store.

JoAnn was united in marriage to the love of her life, Darrell Papka on June 4, 1954 in Rapid City, SD at Canyon Lake Catholic Church. After they married, Darrell and JoAnn lived in Wichita, KS and Buffalo, SD for a short time before making their home in Hettinger, ND for over 60 years. Darrell and JoAnn were blessed with five children: Diane, Dalton, Brian, Mark and Troy.

JoAnn's greatest joy in life was her family. She and Darrell lovingly raised their children and later in life, were fortunate to watch their children, grandchildren, and great-grandchildren flourish. For JoAnn, family was her entire world.

JoAnn also enjoyed working in Hettinger after her children were grown.  She owned a clothing store, DiAnn's, with her daughter which they operated for 10 years. After the store closed, JoAnn started her career at Hettinger/White Drug where she worked for 18 years until 2016. She also provided prom-goers and wedding parties with tuxedo rentals throughout the years. JoAnn was a social butterfly and cherished visiting with customers and community members alike. She was always more than willing to help or visit with anyone.

JoAnn was involved in many different organizations during her life. She was the Secretary of the ND Simmental Association for many years, a member of the Mrs. Jaycees, served on the Board of Directors for both the First National Bank and the Bank of Rhame, a member of the West River Saddle Club, and a leader of the Bluebirds. In her free time, she volunteered at church playing the organ from time to time, enjoyed painting, and played in several bridge clubs. JoAnn also enjoyed watching football on Sundays, cheering on her Denver Broncos. But most of all, her favorite thing to do was to spend time with her family and friends.

Later in life, JoAnn was blessed to learn that she had two biological brothers, Brad and Larry. She, of course, instantly welcomed them with open arms into her life and cherished building memories with them.

JoAnn was renowned for her extravagant family Christmas Eve parties. Every detail, from the delicious food (especially the oyster stew), to the visit from Santa, to the card games that went late into the night, was planned with love. Additionally, Easter brunch with her famous egg bake and enormous Easter egg hunt for the grandkids is something her family will cherish forever.

JoAnn made sure that everyone felt special, and if you ask her grandkids, each one would say they were her favorite. She gave the best hugs and you were probably left with a smudge of her lipstick on your cheek from a big kiss.

Above all, JoAnn loved her life and was very proud of the family she created.  She made many great friends throughout the years and considered them the "jewels of her life". JoAnn was a loving wife, mother, grandmother, great-grandmother, sister, aunt, cousin and friend who will be deeply missed.

JoAnn wanted everyone to know that if she had her life to live over, there was very little that she would change.

Grateful for having shared her life are her loving husband of 65 years, Darrell Papka of Hettinger, ND; daughter, Diane (Wayne) Henderson of Lodgepole, SD; sons, Dalton Papka of Sturgeon Bay, WI, Brian (Trudy) Papka of Brandon, SD, Mark (Louise) Papka of Sioux Falls, SD, and daughter-in-law Bonnie Papka of Parker, CO; two brothers, Brad Basham of Camas, WA and Larry (Donna) Basham, of Washougal, WA; brother-in-law Duane (Lois) Papka, of Wichita, KS; seventeen grandchildren: Cody Henderson, Lance Papka, Kristen (Josh) Lunt, Ryan (Mindy) Papka, Desirae Kummer, Danny (Alisha) Henderson, Erin (Ryan) Melling-Fulker, Lindsey (Troy) Widman, Brandon (Kim) Henderson, Derek Papka, Alex Hendricks, Colin Hendricks, Colton Papka, Zach Hendricks, Cassidy (Mason) Hicken, Nathaniel Papka, Evan Papka; twenty-one great-grandchildren; special friends, "The Coffee Ladies"; and numerous nieces, nephews, cousins, and friends.

JoAnn was preceded in death by her parents; her son, Troy; her sister, Rita (Tony) Martin; her mother and father-in-law, Rose and Marion Papka; and brother-in-law, Raymond (Jean) Papka.