Funeral services for Joan Margaret Johnson, of Whitewood, S.D., were held 10 a.m. Saturday, Feb. 26, at the United Church of Christ, Spearfish, S.D., with Rev. Steve Agan officiating. Interment was in Rose Hill Cemetery, Spearfish.

She was born on Nov. 12, 1930, to John and Dorothea Olsen in Albert Lea.

Joan grew up in Albert Lea and graduated from Albert Lea High School in 1948. After graduating, she cared for her ill mother for a year and a half. She worked her way through college at the University of Minnesota and Mankato State, where she graduated in 1956 with a bachelor’s degree in education. While studying at the University of Minnesota she met her future husband Robert Johnson. She then taught home economics at Waseca High School in Waseca. On June 7, 1958, she married Robert in Albert Lea. They moved to Bloomington, Minn., where all of their children were born. Ten years later they moved to Spearfish, S.D. They purchased their ranch near Whitewood, S.D., in 1974. In 1975, the family moved into their newly built log home where they have lived since.

After a long battle with pancreatic cancer, she passed away on Thursday, Feb. 24, 2005.

Joan served on the Whitewood Library board for 25 years. She was a very active member of the United Church of Christ in Spearfish, S.D., for 35 years where she served on various board committees, taught Sunday School and participated in the Woman’s Fellowship. She was also a PEO member. She was dedicated to her God, her church her family, and her community.

She is survived by her husband of 46 years, Robert; her daughters: Beth (Jamie) McConaty, and Lara (Clark) Coberly; her daughter in-law, Heidi (Jim) Anderson; her six grandchildren: Abby, Will John, Cavan, Megan, Annika, and Aida; one sister, Dorothy Jean (Eugene Stolze; and numerous nieces and nephews.

She was preceded in death by her parents and her son, Eric.