Sara JoAnn Clementson was born to Herbert and Olive (Hofstad) Clementson on June 27th, 1938, at Akron Hospital in Akron, Iowa. JoAnn lived most of her childhood in and near Alcester, SD. She was baptized at St. Paul Lutheran Church in Elk Point and confirmed at Nathanael Lutheran Church in Alcester, SD. JoAnn was active in many activities throughout high school. During her sophomore year, she began dating the love of her life, David Lappegard. JoAnn graduated from Alcester High School in May of 1956. Following high school, JoAnn attended Beadle College and received her teaching certificate. JoAnn taught in various rural schools.

On August 1, 1958, she married her high school sweetheart David Lappegard at Trinity Lutheran Church rural Hudson, SD. They made their home in rural Beresford. During the mid-1960's Dave, JoAnn and a neighbor started the Tea Steak House in Tea, SD. Dave and JoAnn had many hobbies including: gardening, golfing, baseball games, antiquing, playing cards, "coffee time" and dancing. They spent many hours jitter bugging especially after dinner in the kitchen. Dave and JoAnn were able to travel many places including two trips to Norway to visit relatives. One of their favorite places to go was to their cabin at Big Stone Lake that they called their "Little Slice of Heaven".

To truly describe JoAnn's personality, talents, skills, and interests would take a short novel! JoAnn was a beautiful, loving, but "feisty" redhead. JoAnn could do just about anything she put her mind to. If she was told "No", she would turn around and say, "Well, how can I get it done!"

After teaching, she spent many years making elderly people smile as an Activity Director in nursing homes. JoAnn was a businesswoman – antiques, ceramics, greenhouse, prairie parties and a dinnerware room. JoAnn had a gift as a hostess. She also a passion to make every event, program, or gathering special, complete and memorable. JoAnn spent many hours at her country church as a choir director for kids and adults. In her later years, she was a Sunday School teacher. Most importantly, JoAnn was a mom, grandma and a great-grandma. Her greatest joy was having her family together. She would pray daily for each one of her family members – mostly that they would love each other and love God.
With her family around her, JoAnn went home to meet her Savior on May 8, 2024 at Ava's House in Sioux Falls, SD.

JoAnn is survived by her three children-her son Michael (Tami) Lappegard-Beresford, Stephanie (Jay) Bontje-Tea SD and Shelley (Mike) Nelson- Beresford. Her grandchildren: Whitney Schoellerman- Cranston, RI, Hillary (Chad) Andrews-Beresford, John (Veronica)-Beresford SD, and Erin (Collin) Zwart- Miller, SD, Michael Lappegard Jr.- Lincoln, Nebraska, Ryan Lappegard-Sioux Falls, SD, Savannah (Chris) Setnar-Clare MN , Josh Freeman-Sioux Falls, Cherie (Brad) Spooner- TX, Kellie Holder-FL, Valerie (Michael)Dahl- OK, Caleb (Melissa) Nelson, Makayla (Carson) Johnsen- Beresford, SD, and Wade Anderson-Waubay, SD her great-grandchildren: Jacob, Zachary, Andrea, Aaron, Brendan, Rhen, Macy, Mary, Carilee, Oakleigh, Ellie, Aiden, Vivian, Ryek and Navy. She is also survived by brother, Jim (Connie) Clementson-Beresford, Donna Mae Anderson-Alcester, her special "sisters"- The Moe Sisters (Karen, Julie & Denise) and a special, beautiful friend Ella Layne.

She is preceded in death by her husband David, parents, brother Jack and special "sister" Altie.

A Celebration of Life will be held 2:00 PM, Wednesday, May 15th at Trinity Lutheran Church, rural Hudson, SD with burial to follow at the church cemetery. A visitation for JoAnn will be Tuesday, May 14th from 5 PM to 7 PM with a prayer service at 7 PM at the Wass Funeral Home in Beresford, SD.