Joanne "Jo" King

Joanne (Jo) Sund King passed away at home in Bismarck on December 18, 2025. She was 95 years old.

Jo and her twin sister, Jeanne (Jen), were born on February 16, 1930, in Parshall, North Dakota, to C. Roy and Ruth Sund. Jo remained in Parshall through high school, graduating in 1948, and was very proud that she only missed a half day of school during the entire 12 years. She then spent a couple years living in Newport, Rhode Island, with her sister Carmen.

She returned to Parshall and began working at People’s State Bank. In 1954, she met Jim King, who had recently returned from the Navy and was traveling around the upper Midwest selling cookware for Steelco. Jim thought he won the jackpot when Jo paid cash for a full set of cookware; in actuality, the jackpot he won was her heart. They were married on November 21, 1954, in Parshall.

Early in their marriage, Jo and Jim moved between North and South Dakota, Minnesota, and Indiana, before settling permanently in Bismarck in 1964, now as a family of five. Shortly after returning, Jim started his own insurance business. Jo worked alongside him in the agency as his “girl Friday” until they sold it in 2002. Frugal and with a good head for numbers, Jo handled both the business and family finances, making sure the bills were always paid.

Motorcycling and snowmobiling were favorite family pastimes. Every summer for years, Jo and Jim, along with several other couples, traveled around the United States on their touring motorcycles. Jo loved riding behind Jim on their Honda Goldwing and rarely let him ride without her.

The second (and third) of five sisters, Jo and her twin Jen were always very close, continuing to dress alike well into their 90s. If one bought a new outfit, two identical ones were purchased—one for each twin. They delighted in people asking if they were twins and commenting on how cute it was that they were dressed alike. As they grew older and their children went on to build lives of their own, the five sisters grew even closer, making sure to see one another every year.

Raised Lutheran, Jo maintained close ties with Good Shepherd Lutheran Church. She continued to watch services on television every Sunday, even through the pandemic and in the years that followed, when failing vision made it difficult for her to get out.

Jo was a devoted wife, mother, grandmother, great grandmother, and friend, and simply a wonderful person, known for her kindness and never speaking ill about anyone.

She was preceded in death by her parents; sisters Carmen and Joyce Annette; and five brothers-in-law.

Jo is survived by Jim, her husband of 71 years; her children, DJ, Randy, and Nan; Randy’s wife, Dee, who was like another daughter; four grandchildren, Josh, Sarah (Richie Fricke), Alexandra (Jake Wutzke), and Sommer; six great-grandchildren; her twin sister, Jeanne; and her youngest sister, Beth.

A celebration of life will be held in the spring.

If there is such a place as heaven, we’re sure she’s there. If you see her, tell her Jim says “hi,” since he thinks he may not make it.