Joan Michelsen

JOAN CAROL MICHELSEN was born on July 18, 1940 to Alf and Lilly (Hemmingson) Kjelden in Watertown, South Dakota. At a young age, the family moved to Sioux Falls, South Dakota. She attended school and graduated from Washington High School in Sioux Falls in 1958. She worked for a short time and then enrolled in the School of Practical Nursing in Mitchell, South Dakota where she earned her degree as a Licensed Practical Nurse (LPN). Following nursing school, Joan took a job at the Luverne Medical Center in Luverne, Minnesota. It was here that she met her future husband, Wayne Michelsen. The couple was united in marriage on November 21, 1964 at Grace Lutheran Church in Luverne. The newlyweds settled into life on their farm near Magnolia, Minnesota. Joan worked various jobs throughout her life, including real estate agent, church youth director and a rubber stamp card maker. Due to her declining health, Joan became a resident at the Tuff Memorial Home in Hills, Minnesota in September 2019, where on Monday, November 14, 2022 she died peacefully at the age of 82 years, three months and 26 days.

Joan was a member of Grace Lutheran Church where she participated in circle, directed youth choirs, taught Sunday School, led the WINGS program and served as the superintendent of Sunday School. She enjoyed crafts, was a talented card maker and had a soft spot for animals. She loved spending time with her family and was grateful to be an active part of her grandchildren’s lives. She enjoyed attending as many of their activities as possible.

Joan will be lovingly remembered by her husband, Wayne of Magnolia; children, Angela Swenson and her husband Dave of Sioux Falls, South Dakota, and Stacey Hustoft and her husband Bradley of Luverne; seven grandchildren, Christopher Vickery, Jamie Vickery, Brittany (Lance) Van Der Weerd, Matthew Schmuck, Monaya Hustoft, Zayna Hustoft and Jacinda Hustoft; three great-grandchildren, Maddie, Karlie and Jackson Van Der Weerd; siblings, Lyle Tofteland of North Chicago, Illinois, and Lynna (Ron) Christensen of Sioux Falls; and other family. She was preceded in death by her parents; and her son-in-law, Todd Schmuck.