Funeral services for Joan A. Paczkowski, 83, of Albert Lea will be at 10 a.m. Saturday at St. Theodore Catholic Church. The Rev. Kurt Farrell will officiate. Military honors will be accorded by local veterans organizations. Interment will be at St. Theodore Cemetery. Visitation will be from 5 to 7 p.m. Friday at Bayview/Freeborn Funeral Home and one hour prior to the service at the church Saturday. Online condolences are welcome at www.bayviewfuneral.com.

Joan passed away Sunday, Jan. 13, 2019, at Mayo Clinic Health System in Austin.

Joan Ann Paczkowski was born July 16, 1935, in Philadelphia, the daughter of Dominic and Gertrude (McCusker) Busso. She graduated from high school in Philadelphia and enlisted in the U.S. Navy shortly thereafter. She served from September 1953 until December 1954 during the Korean conflict. It was during her service that she met her future husband and love of her life, Roger Paczkowski.

The couple were united in marriage Nov. 20, 1954, in San Diego.

From 1973 to 1981 she owned and operated Maid Rite. Joan was passionate about cooking for family and friends. She was active in Women’s Legion Auxiliary and enjoyed spending time with other lady veterans. Joan was also a member of Ducks Unlimited and the National Wild Turkey Federation. Her favorite pastimes included reading, playing cards at the casino, cooking and baking. Most of all, she enjoyed spending summers with Roger on Fall Lake in Ely. She was the most loving and devoted mother. Her family was her pride and joy.

Joan is survived by her children Roger (Sandi) Paczkowski Jr. of Waseca and Timothy (Tammy) Paczkowski of Richmond; grandchildren Nicholas Paczkowski, Jack Paczkowski, Josh (Barb) Storz, Gabe (significant other, Andrea) Storz, Danny (fiancee, Hannah) Storz, Kayla (Bob) Linn and Tim Paczkowski Jr.; great-grandkids Taylor, Ashley, Alex and Max Storz; sister, Meg Gibney; sister-in-law, Agnes Capp; brother-in-law, Pete Bergland; and many nieces and nephews.

Joan was preceded in death by her parents Dominic and Gertrude; husband, Roger; brother, Peter Mucci; uncle and aunt Jim and Helen McCusker; aunt, Mary (Busso) Ball; and brothers-in-law and sisters-in-law Russell and Bernice Paczkowski, Conrad and Ann Paczkowski, Francis and Ruth Paczkowski, John Capp and Patricia Bergland.