Joan Bernadine Jahnke

Joan Bernadine Jahnke, age 90 of Hastings, died peacefully surrounded by her loving family on Wednesday evening, December 7, 2022.

Joan Bernadine was born the second of seven children to Leo and Olivene (Baillargeon) Berg on July 30, 1932, in Alden Township, Polk County, Wisconsin. After enjoying years of study including playing the clarinet, she graduated with honors from Osceola High School. She was then off to her first job with 3M in St. Paul, Minnesota. A few years later she returned to Wisconsin, and in 1953, Joan was united in marriage to Richard Jahnke and they were blessed with five children over the coming years.

Joan worked for many years at Hastings Country Club, then as an assistant to optometrist, Dr. Charles Hill. She was a well-known live-in babysitter in the Hastings area where many adults remember her delicious pancakes and her chocolate brownies from their childhood. Joan will be remembered as a person with a gentle and kind manner. Her adoring family is grateful for her care, her humor, her love of music, her creativity, and her deep service to them and to the world.

She was preceded in death by her parents; husband, Richard; grandson, Kyle Hamilton; and by her siblings, Laurice, Marlene, Gloria, and Abraham.

Joan is survived by her children, Greg Jahnke (Brian Richards), Barb Hamilton, Cindy (George) Dodge, Mark (Diane) Jahnke, and Bernie (Eileen) Jahnke; thirteen grandchildren and ten great grandchildren; brothers, Elroy Berg and Gilbert (Jan) Berg; sister-in-law, Lois Berg; and by many other relatives and friends.

Mass of Christian Burial will be held 11:00 a.m. Friday, December 16, 2022, at St. Elizabeth Ann Seton Catholic Church in Hastings, with Father David Hennen officiating. Interment will follow at the parish cemetery.

Family and friends are cordially invited to a visitation from 5:00 to 8:00 p.m. Thursday evening at Starkson Family Life Celebration Chapel of Hastings, and for one hour prior to the service at church on Friday morning. A reception will be held at Starkson Family Life Celebration Chapel following the graveside service.

Joan's family would like to thank all staff members of Regina Senior Living Long Term Care, United Hospital ~ Regina Campus, and Abbott Northwestern Hospital for your care that you provided to Joan.

In lieu of flowers, memorials are preferred to the Regina Foundation in memory of Joan.

For guestbook and further information, please visit www.hastingsmnfuneral.com.

Arrangements are being completed by Starkson Family Life Celebration Chapel of Hastings.