Joan passed away Thursday, Sept. 5, 2024, in International Falls, Minn. Lakeview Funeral Home and Cremation Service in Fairmont is assisting the family with arrangements.

Joan Elizabeth Schmidtgal was born Feb. 11, 1940, in Mankato, Minn., the daughter of Lawrence and Esther (Gilbert) Moe. Joan graduated from Brooten High School in 1957. She furthered her education in St. Paul where she earned her nursing certificate.

On Oct. 10, 1961, Joan was united in marriage to Robert Schmidtgal in Iowa. This union was blessed with five children, Joel, Becky, Paula, Aaron and Laura. The couple resided in Mississippi for a few years before moving to the Fairmont area. Joan and Robert shared over 48 years together before Robert passed away on Dec. 14, 2009.

Along with being a homemaker and raising her children, Joan worked as a school cook at St. James Lutheran School in Northrop as well as doing in-home daycare, working at Shopko and REM in Fairmont. Joan was a member of Calvary Baptist Church in Granada where she was active as a Sunday School Teacher and volunteer with Awana and worked as the camp cook. Joan’s family will always remember her as an amazing listener. She would frequently lend her ear any time any of them had things to talk about. She was greatly loved and loved greatly.

Left to cherish her memory include her children, Paula (Shane) Belding of International Falls, Minn., Aaron (Mindy) Schmidtgal of Fairmont, Minn. and Laura (Andy) Peterson of Mason, Ohio; son-in-law, Brock Ketchum of Blair, Wis.; grandchildren, Heather (Tim) Weaver, Shannon (Philip) Armstrong, Christiana (Jim) Pattiz, Tory Schmidtgal, Heidi (Ray) Graybar, Tess (Grant) Hurd, Spencer Ketchum, Noah (Emily) Ketchum, Leah (Andy) Buhrow, Hope, Natalie and Ben Peterson; 20 great-grandchildren; sister, Lynda (Charles) Grant of Jeffers, Minn.; brother, Lonnie Moe of Granada, Minn.; special friend, Lou Husmann; many nieces, nephews, cousins, other relatives and friends.

Along with her parents, Lawrence and Esther Moe, Joan was preceded in death by her husband, Robert Schmidtgal; daughter, Rebecca Jo Ketchum; son in infancy, Joel Robert Schmidtgal; sister, Gloria (Jim) Brainard; and brothers, Stan Moe and Daniel Moe. www.lakeviewfuneralhome.net

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