Joan E. Bang

Our loved one, Jonie Bang, went home to be with Jesus on April 20, 2023, after a seven-year battle with cancer.  

A memorial service will be held at 10:30 a.m., Saturday, April 29, at the Zion Lutheran Church, 112 North 4th Street, Clear Lake; with Rev. Derek Crawford officiating.  The family will greet friends one hour prior to the service at the church.  Inurnment will be in Pilot Knob Lutheran Cemetery, Forest City, Iowa.

Joan Elizabeth Bang was born on Oct. 25, 1935 in Detroit Lakes, Minn., the daughter of George and Ida Anderson.  After high school graduation in Moorhead, Minn., she attended a year of college at Concordia College, Moorhead and married Keith Overvold.  They had two children, Kaye and Clifford.  Their marriage ended in 1976.  

Jonie met Steven Bang while serving as secretary for the Waikiki Beach Chaplaincy in Honolulu, Hawaii where Steve was also on staff.  She later attended Lutheran Bible Institute in Seattle, Wash. and Golden Valley Lutheran College in Minneapolis, Minn.

On July 14, 1979, Jonie married Steven Bang in Cassville, Mo.  Throughout their married life, she assisted Steve on the farm, in youth ministry, and during his many years of pastoral ministry.  She was a prayer warrior and gave encouragement to many being generous with her time and talents.  She also worked for Minneapolis and Minnesota AAA as a travel agent and motorcoach escort.  

Her hobbies were reading (especially the Bible, read through in a year 23 times), cooking, baking, camping, taking care of her dogs and cats, traveling, gardening, playing piano, and singing.

Jonie will be greatly missed by her husband, Steven Bang, of Clear Lake; sister, Gail Sutter; daughter, Kaye (Jim) Marudas; son, Clifford Overvold; six grandchildren; 11 great-grandchildren; along with several nieces, nephews, and loved ones.  

Jonie was preceded in death by her parents; siblings, Marguerite Peters, Katheryn Holm, and Karen Evans.

Jonie loved the Lord and lived out what she believed with her favorite verse of scripture being from Philippians 4:13: “I can do all things through Christ who gives me strength.”

Ward Van Slyke Colonial Chapel is in charge of arrangements.