Joan Konen

Joan Konen, 85 year old resident of Pierz, MN passed away Wednesday, August 14, 2024 at St. Gabriel's Hospital in Little Falls, MN. A Mass of Christian Burial will take place at 10:30 A.M. on Wednesday, August 21, 2024 at St. Joseph's Catholic Church in Pierz, MN with Father Aaron Nett officiating. Burial will take place in the St. Joseph's Parish Cemetery in Pierz, MN. A visitation will be held from 4-7 P.M. on Tuesday, August 20, 2024 at the Shelley Funeral Chapel in Pierz, MN and from 9-10 A.M. on Wednesday at the Shelley Funeral Chapel in Pierz, MN. A Rosary will be prayed at 4:30 PM and Parish Prayer Service at 6:30 PM on Tuesday. Caring for Joan and her family is the Shelley Funeral Chapel in Pierz, MN. Joan was born on July 1,1939 in Longview, Washington to Lester and Kathryn (Robison) Patton. She grew up in Washington and graduated from Longview Washington High School. Joan attended Western Washington College of Education and graduated with a B.A. in Education. She began her career as a counselor working at Lynnwood Junior High School in Lynnwood, Washington from 1960-1972. While at Lynnwood, she continued to pursue higher education and attended Seattle University, graduating with a Master's Degree in Counseling in 1970. Joan was a member of the Washington State and National Teachers Association. While working a side job as a waitress at a legion club, Joan met the love of her life Ken. The two were united in marriage on August 22, 1970 in Kirkland, Washington where they began their lives together. Soon following their marriage, the couple moved to Pierz, Minnesota and began dairy farming on the Konen homestead. They were an inseparable pair and enjoyed the farm life together, which included time with Joan’s stepson Keith. After a brief illness, Ken passed away on October 29, 1997. The following spring, Joan sold the farm and became a resident of the Schoenes Apartments in Pierz where she resided for the next 22 years. During her time there, she enjoyed visiting with neighbors and friends, especially her close friend Alberta Servaty. The two enjoyed each other’s company, which included taking regular outings to local restaurant establishments. Due to Joan’s declining health, she became a resident of Meadow Ponds Assisted Living in February of 2023. The staff and residents soon became part of her family, especially close friend Theresa (aka "friend"). In Joan’s free time, she enjoyed reading and visiting with family and friends. She had a strong faith and was a member of St. Joseph's Catholic Church in Pierz as well as member of the Christian Mothers. She will be deeply missed by the many lives she has touched. Joan is survived by step-son, Keith (Dawne) Konen of Honolulu, HI, grandson, Christopher (Yuki) Konen of Nagoya, Japan, great-grandchildren Beatrix & Reinhart Konen, nephews: Doug (Sandi) Lehning, Mike (Colleen) Lucking, Kurt (Joelle) Lucking, nieces: Mary (Guy) Wadell, Lisa (Kerry) Hutt, Jennifer (Karl) Engdahl, and great nieces/nephews: Kyle Lehning, Jared Lehning, Angie Meier, Amanda Lucking, Jeremy Lucking, Samantha Froelich, Sheri Sullivan, Katie Sullivan, Carrie Sanderson, Jacob Engdahl, and Katy Engdahl. She was preceded in death by her husband, Kenneth Konen; parents, Lester and Kathryn Patton; and sister, Mary Pat Ledoux.

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Joan Konen

July 1, 1939 - August 14, 2024