Memorial services for Joan M. Edwards of New Richland will be held at 10:30 a.m. Friday at Trinity Lutheran Church in New Richland. The Rev. Paul Andree will officiate. Visitation will be held Thursday evening from 4 until 7 p.m. at the Friedrich Funeral Home, and one hour prior to the service at the church. Interment will be in Ft Snelling National Cemetery, Minneapolis.
Mrs. Edwards died Monday Feb. 22, 2010, at the New Richland Care Center. She was 79 years of age.
Joan was born Dec. 31, 1930, in Albert Lea, the daughter of Merton and Alga (Swanson) Bickford. She was a graduate of Albert Lea High School. On Aug. 29, 1954, she was united in marriage to John C. Edwards at Salem Lutheran Church in Albert Lea.
Joan had made her home in Albert Lea and then New Richland where she was a member of the Trinity Lutheran Church. She was active in the church circle and was the secretary and treasurer for many years. Joan had been employed for over 29 years as the bookkeeper for the Hunting Elevator in New Richland. She was a member of the American Legion Auxiliary for over 40 years and an officer for 29 years. She was also on the board for HUD and an officer for 20 years.
Joan loved traveling to visit family, reading, puzzles and listening to music.
Joan is survived by her husband, John, of New Richland; children: Cheryl and husband Rod Thompson of North Bend, Wash., Jay and his wife Jenny Edwards of Anthony, N.M., Karin and her husband Daniel Pyan of Stewartville; grandchildren include: Holly Thompson and special friend Chris Behrens, Payton (Ally) Thompson, Jason (Daisy) Edwards, Jacqueline Pyan and special Friend Sean Cloutier, Jacob Pyan and Jonathan Pyan; step grandchildren: William (Jessica) Robinson and Meghan Robinson; great-grandchildren: Carter Cloutier, Gabriel and Diego Barron and Brandon Robinson; sisters include: Dorothy Zitterow of St Paul and Judy (Gary) Johnson of LeMond; brothers-in-law include: Ray Katzung of Albert Lea and John Christensen of New Richland.
Joan was preceded in death by her parents and two sisters: Barbara Christensen and Helen Katzung.
Memorials are preferred to the Trinity Lutheran Church, American Legion or the Heart and Lung Association.