Joan Wirtanen
June 6, 1935 — June 21, 2017
Joan A. (Pfeifer) Wirtanen
Joan A. Wirtanen, 82, of Hibbing, formerly of Gilbert, passed away Wednesday, June 21, 2017 at Ecumen Lakeshore in Duluth. Joan was born June 6, 1935 to Leonard and Irene (Keith) Pfeifer in Virginia, MN. Joan was a travel agent for Jay Bee Travel and AAA, and loved planning trips and traveling with her family and friends. She was a member of the Fairview Range Volunteer Services Organization, and enjoyed her time working as a volunteer. She helped design the jeweled heart that has since beome the logo for the Volunteer Services Organization. Joan was a charter member of PEO Chapter DX in Virginia, and also served as a member of the Arrowhead Concert Association. She was a member of The Blessed Sacrament Catholic Church of Hibbing.
Joan is survived by her children: Mark (JoDee) Wirtanen of Hibbing, Scott Wirtanen of Hibbing, and Jill Wirtanen of Eagan, MN; grandchildren: Kari (Greg) Hearn of East Grand Forks, MN; Jon (Adrienne) Wirtanen of Duluth, MN; Kelsey (Andy) Worzala of Blaine, MN; Courtney Wirtanen of Duluth, MN; Kailey Wirtanen of Hibbing, MN. and great-grandchildren: Tyler and Karlee Hearn.
Joan was preceded in death by her husband William Wirtanen, her parents, and brothers: Chauncey Pfeifer and Richard Pfeifer, along with her sister Jane Boggs.
Funeral services for Joan will be held at 10 am, Monday June 26, 2017 at The Blessed Sacrament Catholic Church in Hibbing, The Rev. Fr. Frank Perkovich will celebrate the Mass of Christian Burial. Visitation will be held 6-8 pm on Sunday at Dougherty Funeral Home of Hibbing, and will continue for one hour prior to the funeral service at the church on Monday at 9 am. Burial will be at The Calvary Cemetery in Virginia, MN. Arrangements are with the Dougherty Funeral Home of Hibbing.
Joans’s family would like to thank the caregivers at Ecumen Lakeshore for the exceptional care they provided her while residing there. In lieu of flowers, the family requests donations to the Ecumen Lakeshore Foundation or to the Central Mesabi Medical Foundation. In honor of Joan the family will be making a contribution to both organizations.
To leave an online message of condolence please visit our website at www.doughertyofhibbing.com