JoAnn R. Clay

JoAnn Ruth (LaFrenz) Clay of Osakis, MN, passed away on Sunday, January 18th, 2026, surrounded by her loving daughters at Galeon in Osakis, MN. She was born on July 2, 1941, in Elton, SD to Raymond and Olga LaFrenz. JoAnn was the oldest of five. JoAnn graduated from Osakis High School with the Class of 1959.

Funeral for JoAnn will be held on Saturday, January 31st at 11:00AM at Salem Lutheran Church of Osakis, MN officiated by Pastor Quam. Burial will be held at Salem Lutheran Church in Osakis, MN. Visitation will be held on Friday, January 30th at Roy-Hetland Funeral Home in Osakis, MN from 5:00pm-7:00pm.

JoAnn married Robert Duguay in 1960, they had 3 girls. JoAnn moved back to Osakis, MN to help with her parents. That’s when she met Gordon Lang and they had 1 girl. They moved to Pembina, ND, and she got a job at the Red Roast Hotel. Years later JoAnn opened a small daycare from her home. JoAnn was a member of the Pembina Lutheran Church where she taught Sunday School and Youth Group. She was also involved in the ladies aid and their quilting group.

After all her children graduated from high school, JoAnn moved to Osakis, MN in 1993. This is where she reunited with a high school classmate, Willard (Bill) Clay. They married in Osakis, MN in 1996. JoAnn and Willard (Bill) Clay were very involved in Salem Lutheran Church. There they met many wonderful and amazing people and friends. JoAnn moved into their home on Maple Lake, Long Prairie, MN in 1997 where they created many great memories with family and friends.

JoAnn and Willard (Bill) Clay sold their home and moved into the Terrance Heights of The Galeon in 2024. They met many wonderful people and friends. JoAnn kept busy with playing cards, bingo, and doing crafts. She was always decorating the downstairs of their apartment entry and doing crafts for loved ones. JoAnn enjoyed walking the halls of The Galeon visiting with the nurses and residents there.

JoAnn is survived by her children: Kimberly (Scott) Arneson of Roseau, MN. Kari Duguay of Long Prairie, MN. Kathy (Todd) Torgerson of Walker, MN. Darla (Scott) Holmquist of Osakis, MN. Kevin (Cristy) Clay of Cape Coral, FL. Pamela (Steve) Hauge of Elgin, MN. Denise (Rodney) Peterson of Albert Lea, MN. Stephanie (Chuck) Clay of Ely, MN. Marcia (Nick) Franks of St.Cloud, MN; her in-laws: Kathy LaFrenz of Osakis, MN. John Flolid of Osakis, MN, Kevin Fish of Deadwood, SD, Susan Vosen of Little Falls, MN, Sallie Habedank of Waite Park, MN, Rex (Judy) Clay of Osakis, MN, and Marjorie LaFrenz. JoAnn is also survived by many grandchildren, great-grandchildren, nieces, nephews, and friends.

JoAnn is preceded in death by her parents, Raymond and Olga LaFrenz; her husband Willard (Bill) Clay; her sisters Jan Flolid (February 2024) and Roni Fish (July 2022); her brothers Cliff (September 2022) and Barney LaFrenz (June 2013), along with niece, Jenny Lafrenz (October 2020), nephew, Michael Fish, grandchildren and great grandchildren.

For the past month, JoAnn has resided at Bethany on the Lake in Alexandria, MN, and The Galeon in Osakis, MN. JoAnn’s family extends heartfelt thanks to both Bethany and Galeon staff for their care and compassion.

JoAnn’s legacy of love, hard work, devotion to her family, and her strong faith will live on in the hearts of all who knew her.

May her memory be a blessing.