JoAnn (Markoff) Tolstedt was born to Keith “Keets” Markoff and Neoma (Shigley) Markoff in Alliance, Nebraska on March 6, 1936, and passed away on December 10, 2025, at the age of 89. JoAnn’s life was characterized by an immense love for her family, a constant sense of caring for her friends, and a quiet devotion to her Lord.
JoAnn graduated from Alliance High School in 1954 and worked at The Guardian State Bank until her marriage to her high school sweetheart, Franklin Tolstedt, on September 16, 1956. They shared a deep, abiding love, and their devotion to one another for 69 years provided a foundation and example to their two children, Brad, born in 1957, and Jana, born in 1960.
As Frank pursued his banking career, JoAnn was always at his side, supporting and encouraging him. She made sure their home and life were organized, orderly, and rooted in the belief that serving others before themselves led to a happy and successful life.
Each small community they called home, whether it be Alliance, Valentine, or Gordon, benefited from JoAnn’s heart of service, generosity, and kindness. She cultivated precious friendships along the way and enjoyed making her home a haven for her family.
JoAnn was not a fan of idleness and kept busy by contributing her time and talents to organizations and her church. Groups that benefited from her membership include P.E.O., Carnegie Arts Center, and Music and Dramatic Club. She held a variety of offices and enjoyed planning and decorating for numerous parties and functions tied to these organizations. The Presbyterian Church in each town where she lived provided her with a source of comfort and purpose and an outlet for her heart of service.
JoAnn enjoyed her bridge club, traveling with dear friends, and supporting her children and grandchildren in each and every endeavor they pursued. Family was always forefront in her mind, and she strived daily to make sure they were happy. Her relationship with her grandchildren provided her with countless hours of pride and joy. She was the ultimate gift-giver and put her heart and soul into making sure every Christmas was full of memories and cookies.
JoAnn is preceded in death by her parents, Keets and Neoma Markoff; mother and father-in-law, Calvin and Virlene Tolstedt; brother and sister-in-law, Dick and Sande Markoff; sister-in-law, Idonna (Bob) Minnick; and brother-in-laws Keith (June) Tolstedt and Dean (Sharon) Tolstedt.
Remaining to cherish JoAnn’s memory are her husband, Frank Tolstedt; children, Brad (Carrie) Tolstedt of Scottsdale, AZ; Jana (Joe) Goranson of Gordon, NE; grandchildren, Lauren Goranson of Omaha, NE and Nicholas (Deanna) Goranson of Scottsbluff, NE; great-grandchildren, Rhen and Piper Goranson; many beloved nieces and nephews; and lifelong friends.
A Celebration of JoAnn’s life will be held Monday, December 15, 2025, at 2:00 p.m. at the First Presbyterian Church of Alliance with Pastor Sue Spencer officiating. Burial will be in the Alliance Cemetery.
Memorial donations in JoAnn’s memory may be directed to the First Presbyterian Church of Alliance, Carnegie Arts Center, or Highland Park Care Facility.
Online condolences may be left at www.batesgould.com with Bates-Gould Funeral Home in charge of arrangements.