General Information
Full Name: Joan Oestreich
Date of Birth: April 21, 1937
Date of Death: January 16, 2013
Joan’s life story
Joan Oestreich
On April 21, 1937 on the family farm in Milaca, MN, Joan Shirley was born to the parents of John and Dora (Hurley) Fischer. She was the youngest of four children. Joan’s childhood years were spent growing up in Milaca and walking each day attending a country school and later attended Milaca High School.
Enjoying a meal at the Golden Horn Café, Joan met the love of her life, Eugene Oestreich. They courted and on December 18, 1954 at Trinity Lutheran in Waconia, MN, Joan and Gene exchanged wedding vows. They were blessed with three children, Thomas, Debra and Michael. Joan’s world was shaken with the unexpected death of her son, Michael on June 11, 1991.
Settling down first in Mound, than off to Watertown for a few years, Joan and the family finally established their roots in Carver from 1965-1990. Joan and Gene than were off to their retirement home in Grove Lake, MN, until 2003. Selling the home, they moved and spent summers in Waterville and winters in Huachuca City, Arizona.
Family was most important to Joan throughout her life. But camping with her family was the greatest joy. As the children grew up, they spent two weeks each summer touring the states from ocean to ocean. Joan and the family spent countless weekends camping at Diamond Lake near Wilmar. As Joan became a grandma, she would pack up the grandchildren in her van and off they went seeing the sights of the country. From places around Minnesota to a favorite trip to Yellowstone National Park.
Holding various jobs along the way, most of Joan’s career was spent working as a manager for the Young America Corporation for many, many years. She loved playing Penny Ante Poker, sewing, crocheting and Fill It In Puzzles every morning. An avid reader, Joan loved reading mysteries and romance novels, with western novels being her favorite. She will always be remembered for being on the move and saying, “You can’t keep these Hurley feet still.”
In the early morning hours of Wednesday, January 16, 2013, she passed away unexpectedly at her home in Waterville, MN. Joan was 75 years old.
Deeply missed and remember always by those who loved Joan, husband, Gene of Waterville; children, Thomas (Valerie) Oestreich of Jordan, Debra (Kelly) Kessler of Belle Plaine; grandchildren, Gehl (Kara) Mittelsted, Nicole Oestreich, Nathan Kessler, Andrea Kessler; 4 great-grandchildren; sisters, Sylvia Olsen, Dora Hatch; other loving relatives and devoted friends.
Joan is preceded in death by her son, Michael; grandson Zachariah; parents; and brother, John Fischer.
The Celebration of Life Service will be on Monday, January 21 at 11 am, with visitation two hours prior all at Ballard-Sunder Funeral Home 104 West First Street, Jordan. Pastor Larry Kasten will preside. Joan will be laid to rest at a private family service at Spirit Hill Cemetery in Jordan, MN.
Honorary pall bearers for Joan will be her grandchildren, Gehl, Nicole, Nathan and Andrea.
The Oestreich family is served with honor, care and compassion by Ballard-Sunder Funeral Home and Cremation Services, Jordan Chapel.
Visitation
When: Monday, January 21, 2013, 9-11 AM
Location: Ballard-Sunder Funeral Home
Address: 104 First St. W.
Jordan, MN 55352
Service Information
When: Monday, January 21, 2013 11:00 AM
Location: Ballard-Sunder Funeral Home
Address: 104 First St. W.
Jordan, MN 55352
Interment Information
Location: Spirt Hill Cemetery
Address: Jordan, MN
