Joan W. Kelsch

Joan Wise Kelsch passed away peacefully in her sleep at the age of 94 at her home in Mandan, North Dakota on August 12, 2025.

Services will be held at the Mandan First Presbyterian Church at 11:00 a.m. on Saturday, August 16, 2025. A visitation will be held at Weigel Funeral Home on Friday from 5- 7:00 p.m.

Joan Wise was born on July 9, 1931, in Columbus, Ohio, to W.A. Wise and Jean (Shane) Wise. Joan, her sister Fran, and her parents moved to North Dakota in the winter of 1934, settling in Valley City, North Dakota. During the war the family, including her younger brother, David, moved to Great Falls, Montana. After the war, Joan moved to Mandan, where she met her future husband, Bill Kelsch. Joan graduated from Mandan High School in 1949, attended Bismarck Junior College, and completed her bachelor's degree in education at Macalester College in St. Paul, Minnesota, in 1953. Joan taught elementary school in Grand Forks and Manvel, North Dakota. Joan and Bill were married in Mandan on August 16, 1954. After Bill graduated from UND law school in 1956, they moved back to Mandan, where she was a stay-at-home-mom, and they raised their kids, Steven, Tom, Mary, and Jean.

Joan was very involved in the First Presbyterian Church of Mandan, in numerous positions, including counting and depositing church offerings for decades, finally resigning this year. Joan provided a loving and welcoming home to her family and friends. As a former teacher, she was a firm believer in education and was an avid reader. Once her children were all in school, Joan volunteered at Christ the King School helping children who struggled with reading. Joan loved playing bridge, doing crossword puzzles, word games, and working out at the Mandan Community Center and pool and at the YMCA.

Joan is survived by three of her children: Steven (Anne), Tom (Shelley), and Jean Bingert, seven grandchildren and eight great grandchildren: Zachary (Jenna) and Arya Kelsch; Alex (Ashley) Kelsch; Cassandra (Jason) and Maielle, Torah, Silas, and Trae Weidman; Kyle Bingert; Matt (Sam) and Kason and Finan Bingert; Danielle Bingert and Brynn Vogel; and Sarah Kelsch (Jared Johnson).

Joan was preceded in death by her husband Bill, her daughter Mary, her daughter-in-law Rae Ann, son-in-law Chuck, her parents, sister Fran, and brother David.

Joan would prefer memorials be sent to the First Presbyterian Church of Mandan or charity of your choice.