Age 90. Passed away on May 18, 2020 due to complications from COVID-19. Preceded in death by husband of nearly 60 years Roger D. Carlson and parents Wesley and Alice Scheuneman. Survived by sons Scott (Betsy) and Douglas and grandchildren Thomas (Natalia) and Margaret (fiancé Jerel Mueller) Carlson. Born on Jan. 1, 1930 in St. Paul, Joan spent most of her childhood growing up in Sioux Falls, South Dakota. She graduated from Washington High School in Sioux Falls and attended the University of South Dakota. Later in life, Joan returned to college at Lakewood College in White Bear Lake in the 1970s where she was active in art and the writers/poetry group. Then she finished college at the University of Minnesota, achieving honors with a B.A. in geography.
Joan celebrated her 90th birthday on Jan. 1, 2020 and was still sharp as a tack until just near her death. She was a kind, gentle soul who loved life, her family, nature, education and current affairs. The family enjoyed summer vacations, visiting Yellowstone, the Grand Canyon and many other National Parks. For many years, Joan was a volunteer nature guide and bird bander at the former Warner Nature Center and a charter member of the Science Museum of Minnesota.
Mom was an optimist who readily embraced new challenges such as jogging in the 1970s. She and the family spent many evenings around the kitchen table discussing politics, current affairs and religion. Her hobbies included reading, gardening, crossword puzzles and, until physical ailments limited her, walking. The family is grateful for the loving care that Mom received from the nurses, aides and staff at Lyngblomsten Care Center and St. Joseph’s Hospital in St. Paul. Memorials are preferred to the Science Museum of Minnesota, The Salvation Army, the University of Minnesota geography department or the University’s College of Liberal Arts. Graveside Service to be held on Friday (October 23, 2020) 11:00 AM at Union Cemetery, 2505 Minnehaha Ave. E., St. Paul.To view the live stream click on this link Facebook page at the time of graveside service. (No facebook account necessary)