JoAnna (Erickson) Meyer

On January 2, 1952, in Fosston, Mn., Earl and Lois Erickson welcomed their baby girl, JoAnn, into this world. She joined two older siblings, Fern and Glen Huff.

JoAnn spent her early school years attending Nary Elementary, just east of Bemidji. Earl worked for Burlington Northern, and they soon moved to North Dakota. JoAnn’s late elementary, junior high, and senior high years were spent in Lakota, N.D., where she graduated from high school. It was during those days in Lakota that it was discovered she had an amazing gift of music. She was a talented flutist, but even more amazing was her singing voice.  It was this gift that ultimately opened doors all over the world.

In the 70’s she began a singing career in North Dakota, singing with several local cover bands. At one point, one of those groups opened for the well-known country western group Alabama. At that time, she also sang for an inauguration gala for Governor Allen I. Olson.

Soon after, her family moved to the Twin Cities, where she attended Spiritual Life Bible School in Brooklyn Center. It was there that she also became a serious psalmist and worship leader. She also began to display an amazing ability to simply sit at a keyboard and play and worship in whatever song, a familiar oldie or one fresh from the throne room, the Lord would have her release.

In the 1990’s she also spent a period of years as the choir director for Minnesota Adult and Teen Challenge in the Twin Cities. There were many hi-lights during that time, as the choir would sing at a variety of venues and churches. Quite possibly at the top of the list was when she was asked to sing the National Anthem for a Minnesota Vikings regular season football game at the Metrodome, with the Teen Challenge choir singing behind her.

On April 14, 2001, she married Denny Meyer at Big Sandy Camp in McGregor, Mn. At that point her name was legally changed to JoAnna, though she had adopted that name earlier when she launched her own JoAnna Ministries with the release of the album, Israel, My Israel. The title song to the album was one the Lord had given her and has become a song that has been sung all over the world, especially with the Messianic Jewish community. As JoAnna had stated in her album: I want to especially thank the one who has “Been Faithful To Me”, my Lord and my God-Yeshua. I am so grateful to You Jesus. I pray that through this recording project You will be glorified and made known to many throughout the earth. Even prior to the release of the CD, JoAnna had made mission trips to Africa and multiple trips to Israel. Israel had almost become a second home for her. With the release of the CD the trips to Israel increased.

For 8 years, JoAnna and Denny lived on a ranch near Palisade, MN. It was during that time that they also lived for six months in Ariel, Israel. While in Israel, she was asked to fly back to Ft. Lauderdale to sing the National Anthem at a gathering for Bibi Netanyahu.

Following the years in Palisade they lived in Tamarack, MN. for five years and a year in Portal, GA. That was followed with four years in Germany. Since 2020 the two lived in several places in northern Minnesota as they facilitated Kingdom Retreats based on the Luke 4:18-19 mission statement of the Body of Believers.  The Spirit of the Lord is upon me, because he hath anointed me to preach the gospel to the poor; he hath sent me to heal the brokenhearted, to preach deliverance to the captives, and recovering of sight to the blind, to set at liberty them that are bruised, To preach the acceptable year of the Lord.

JoAnna was preceded in death by her parents Earl and Lois, and sister Fern Anseth.

She is survived by her husband Denny; daughter Darci Ibsen (Lakeville, MN.) and her children Jarrett, Grace, and Morgan; son Chance Kendall (Apple Valley), his daughter Paige, and his son Bryce and wife Kelsey Kendall, Wanamingo, MN, and their children Paisley, Addison, and Owen.

Denny’s adult children, Nate Meyer (wife Mary), Chippewa Falls, WI; Keli Meyer McCabe (husband Michael), Leander, TX; Andy Meyer (wife Donita), Cedar Park, TX.

JoAnna and Denny share 11 grandchildren and 3 great-grandchildren.

Also surviving are brother Glen and sister-in-law LeeAnn Huff who live in Crystal, MN.

A celebration of life is planned for Saturday, October 18th at 2 PM at Solid Rock Church of God, 555 La Prairie Avenue Grand Rapids, MN 55744 , MN (eastern edge of Grand Rapids).  To leave a message of condolence, please visit:  www.srtfuneral.com.  Arrangements are with McGregor Funeral Home and Cremation Service, McGregor.

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