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   Mary Joan (Joann) Phipps, age 90, passed away on May 12, 2026, in Mesa AZ after a long illness. She was born in Fargo ND on April 30, 1936 to Alfred and Julia Melting. Joan went to high school in Fargo and graduated from Concordia College in Moorhead MN with a degree in English and a minor in Psycology. She taught English in Kindred ND and later was a substitute teacher in Parkers Prairie MN. She was an accomplished musician on viola and exceptional on piano. After marriage to Wayne Whipps in 1969, she worked as the Camp Fire Girls director and later as managing editor of In-Fisherman Magazine for 20 years in Brainerd MN.

   She is preceded in death by her parents, brother Alfred, Jr. “Bud,” Aunt Annie Nervig and her first husband Ray Falls.

   She is survived by her children Greg Falls (Deedee), Monica Falls, Jon Falls (Jeannette), Tim Falls (Katherine), Tom Phipps (Sandy), 3 step-daughters, 12 grandchildren and 3 great-children.

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