Joan has been a seamstress most of her life. She started out at a bridal shop in St. Paul doing alterations on wedding gowns and later continued sewing out of her home. She really enjoyed getting to know the brides and hearing all of their stories. Her favorite was of a bride named June, who got married in June and owned a bridal shop named June’s.

Today, Joan stays busy sewing nearly every day. Her main project is sewing quilt tops for her Church in Shoreview. They support a mission project where the quilt squares are cut at a Church in Florida and sent to Joan. She coordinates the colors and designs the patterns and then sews the tops together, returning them to her Church in Shoreview to finish filling and putting on the backing. Together they have made countless quilts to support this worthy mission.

About two years ago, Joan moved to Shepherd of Grace Senior Community in Becker to be closer to her son and daughter in law who live in town. She really likes living here and says the staff is very kind. When she’s not sewing she stays busy putting together puzzles, playing games and enjoying the various entertainment. She volunteers by folding the kitchen towels and working with the community flower gardens. This year, she came up with the plan for the flower gardens, made the list of plants needed and then planted the gardens with a few other tenants. She still drives and enjoys getting out and about.

We are proud that Joan calls Shepherd of Grace home.