JoAn Bratvold Hagemeyer

JoAn Bratvold Hagemeyer, age 87, formerly of Woodside Township, rural Erskine, MN, passed away on Thursday, March 18th, in North Oaks, MN. A memorial graveside service will be held at 2:00 p.m. on Sunday, June 27th, at Rodnes Lutheran Cemetery, rural Erskine, with the Rev. Joel Smeby officiating. All are welcome to attend and please bring your own chair for the service. Arrangements are with Carlin Family Funeral Service of Erskine.

Joan began her teaching career in 1953 in Roseau, MN before traveling to Albert Lea the following school year where she met and soon married the love of her life, Les Hagemeyer. Joan later taught in the Mounds View School District for 19 years, mostly at Island Lake, from where she retired the spring of 1995. Mrs. Hagemeyer brought out the giftedness in every student and encouraged those who struggled to shine and believe in their abilities. She naturally made those around her better by cheering on their every success.

Joan was a mother of four who mastered the art of loving her children so well, they each considered themselves her favorite. Her radiant smile was welcoming to all who visited and the coffee was always fresh. A visit was never complete without a long farewell and a wave from the driveway until her guests were out of sight. “Take your time leaving but hurry back!”

She had a natural way of extending grace, gratitude, encouragement, and acceptance toward others throughout life’s journey. Her kind gentle advice typically included the reassuring words, “It will get better,”  or “This too shall pass.” And it always did. One always felt better after spending any measure of time with Joan.

Joan’s hands were rarely idle. She was a classically trained pianist, snapped oodles of photographs of every occasion (or non-occasion), played dueling accordions with dad, painted rosemaling, designed countless ceramic pieces, sewed, stitched needlepoint, quilted, knit and crocheted multiple colors of yarn into works of art. She had a flair for adding special touches that made every gathering a celebration to remember. At Christmastime, she provided an impressive smorgasbord of food which included rosettes, krumkake, lefse, and lütefisk, and she mastered the of Norwegian language so she could communicate with her beloved first cousins from Norway.

Rejoicing her arrival in heaven are her loving husband of 58 years, Les, their son, Lane, her brother, Douglas Aase, and her sister, Patricia Aase Peterson. Left to mourn her loss are her children, Clark Hagemeyer, Lezli (Garry) Edgington, and Jacki (Jesse) Harren; Grandchildren, Amber, Kathryn, Holly, Wynn (Krystal), Brandon, Cory, Timothy, Andrew, Corina, Clark James, Anton, and Vivian; Great Grandchildren, Hollyann, Colton, Elyse, and Charlie. Also her brother, John (Phyllis) Aase, sister-in-law, Carol Hagemeyer; Aunt, Shirley Kraft; Kraft Cousins: Norma Ness, Elrane Kraft, Vivian Hanson, LaVerne Benson, Jacintha Balch, Kim Kraft, and Gene Kraft, and many cherished nieces and nephews both here in the U.S. and in Sweden and Norway.

We extend our heartfelt gratitude to the staff of Waverly Gardens for their exemplary support these past several years. You are forever woven into the fabric of our hearts for the love and joy you freely gave Joan and to each of us.

‘Til we meet again, we love you, Mom.