JoAnn Magnus, 89

JoAnn Kathryn Magnus (née Kopland) was born May 6, 1936, in Helena, Mont., to Ruth Mary Kopland (née Emmel) and Antone Mike Kopland. She has one sister, Zoe Purington (née Kopland), who is four years older. JoAnn grew up in Rathdrum, Idaho, where her father was the town electrician (Kopland Electric) and her mother, Ruth, was a housewife.

JoAnn attended the Methodist church as a young child and played saxophone in school. She enjoyed playing with paper dolls and had a fond memory of helping the neighbor lady, Vera, with chores, in exchange for handmade school clothes. JoAnn loved little black Scottish Terrier dogs (Scotty dogs) and had many beloved pets over her lifetime, starting with Mutt when she was 7 or 8 and Twinkie when she was in her 40s. She graduated from Rathdrum High School in 1954.

JoAnn met Roy Magnus in high school, and they got married in 1955. Together, they had three children: Joleen, Jeannie and Chris. They owned cattle ranches in Kingston, Idaho, Medimont, Idaho, Odessa, Wash., and finally Hayden Lake, Idaho. She was a loving mother and farm wife until Roy passed away from a heart attack in 2004.

JoAnn was an intelligent and loving woman who adored spending time with her friends and family. She enjoyed being a part of The Rimrock Lady’s Social Club, shopping, eating dark chocolate and comfort food, watching her favorite shows, hosting holidays and attending church. She really cherished her friends and had a bright and calming spirit. 

For her twilight years, JoAnn resided with her oldest daughter and son-in-law, Mike and Joleen Halford, where she lived a peaceful life in the forests of Bonners Ferry, Idaho. She passed away gracefully from old age Aug. 21, 2025, at the age of 89.

She is preceded in death by her husband, Roy Magnus, and her daughter, Jeannie Nordstrom (surviving son-in-law Mark Nordstrom), is survived by her sister, Zoe Purington, her daughter, Joleen Halford, (and son-in-law Mike Halford), son Chris Magnus, grandson Michael Magnus, granddaughters Taucha Pearson, Chelsea Halls, Brittany Hawkins, Krista Magnus, and many great-grandchildren and great-great-grandchildren.

Memorial service will be held at Hayden Bible Church at 10:30 a.m. on Oct. 3, 2025.