Joan Carol Halenbeck

Joan Carol (Peterson) Halenbeck, 97, went to be with her Lord on July 22, 2023.

Joan was born in the UP of Michigan on November 19, 1925. She left the UP to go to nursing school in Duluth as a young woman. Another nursing student set her up on a blind date with a guy named George. The blind date went well since their marriage lasted 63 years until George passed away. She remained in Duluth for the rest of her life.

Joan took a hiatus from nursing to be a partner with her pharmacist husband in their “Mom and Pop” business, Halenbeck’s Hunter’s Park Pharmacy. It was a neighborhood gathering spot, complete with a soda fountain. So many people remember Joan as that super sweet lady at the drug store.

Joan later returned to nursing, working as a geriatric nurse at Lakeshore Lutheran Home, then at the Benedictine Health Center. Long after most people retired, well into her seventies Joan continued to work on-call at Benedictine and the St. Scholastica Priory.

Joan was also a talented artist who loved to paint and was quite good at it. She took part in half-marathons well into her late sixties. Joan was a lifelong lover of animals, children, and life. She will be remembered as a caring person with a great sense of humor. Joan was often heard to say, “I didn’t think I’d live this long” when she reached her 90s. We were betting she would make 100. So close!

Joan was a woman of deep faith and a member of the Glen Avon Presbyterian Church.

Joan’s husband has been with the Lord for 14 years. She is survived by her children, Paul (Jennifer) Halenbeck of Minneapolis, Maren (Mark) Thompson of Buffalo, MN, and Carol Hall of Hibbing; grandchildren, Scott (Amber) Halenbeck of Duluth, Debbie (Michael) Halenbeck of Belle Plaine, MN, Erik (Jodie) Agresta of Minneapolis, Annalee (Rick) Fuerstenau of Chippewa Falls, WI, and Elizabeth Thompsen of Buffalo, MN; and great-grandchildren, Adam, Kat, Blythe, Lillian, Wolfie, Makenzie, Alarik, Adalena, Emmalyn, and Olivia.

Celebration of Life to be held at 11:00 AM on Saturday, September 9th at Glen Avon Presbyterian Church, 2105 Woodland Avenue.

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