Joan Elaine Denzer

Joan Elaine Denzer, 80, of Minnesota City, died Friday, May 18, 2012 at Lake Winona Manor, five days after her husband of 62 years, Lester.Joan, the only daughter of four children, was born in Winona on March 6, 1932 to James and Gertrude (Martin) Stewart. Joan was 17 years old when she was united in marriage to Lester Denzer at St. Martin's Lutheran Church in September of 1949. Joan and Lester had one son, Wayne, who preceded them in death in 2008. Lester and Joan were never blessed with a daughter, but they were fortunate to remain close with their former daughter-in-law, Linda. She stayed very close to Joan and visited her every day at Lake Winona Manor. They enjoyed their "wheelchair walks" around the lakes. Lester and Joan always considered Linda their adopted daughter. Most of Joan's life was spent as a dedicated farm wife and loving homemaker. She helped mow the lawn and milk cows, canned jams as gifts to her family, and baked cinnamon rolls and custard rhubarb pies. For many years, Joan was active in the Ladies Aid and Sunshine Committee at First Evangelical Lutheran Church in Minnesota City where she and Lester were lifelong members. For many years, Joan battled renal failure, and Lester lovingly dialyzed her with a kidney machine before dialysis could be done in hospitals. In 1990, Joan was blessed with a kidney transplant, making for a very happy Thanksgiving.She is survived by her brother, David Stewart of Minnesota City; close friend and "adopted" daughter, Linda (Roger) Horner of Winona; nieces, Karen Hertzberg and Kimberly Woods; and nephew, Darwin Denzer; sister-in-law, Barbara Stewart of Minnesota City. Joan is preceded in death by her husband, Lester, on May 12; son, Wayne; brothers, Gilbert, James, and infant Robert Stewart; nephew, Ricky Stewart; sister-in-law, Betty Haedtke; brothers-in-law, Donald, Lowell, and Russell Denzer.Joan's family would like to thank the compassionate staff at Lake Winona Manor for everything they did for her and her family.A memorial service will be held at 12:00 p.m., Friday, May 25, 2012 at Hoff Funeral & Cremation Service-Hansen Goodview Chapel with visitation one hour prior. Reverend David Eckert of First Evangelical Church in Minnesota City will officiate. Graveside services will take place at a later date at Oakland Cemetery in Minnesota City. As an expression of sympathy, memorial contributions are preferred to the First Evangelical Church in Minnesota City.Please share a memory of Joan with her family, sign the online guestbook, and view her video tribute when it becomes available at www.hofffuneral.com.
Tribute video can be found at: videos.lifetributes.com/307282