Joan Evelyn Shermer

It is with profound sadness that we announce the passing of Joan Shermer who passed away unexpectedly, yet peacefully, in her Rock Creek home on Saturday, February 21, 2026, at the age of 81.

Joan was born on January 9, 1945 in Minneapolis to William and Evelyn (Hanson) Jungers. She was lovingly nicknamed “Joanie.”

Joanie grew up in South Minneapolis, where her faith and strong sense of community were nurtured at Trinity Lutheran Church. She attended catechism classes there and later worked in the church’s childcare, always caring for others. Special memories were made every year at the state fair, where she worked in her uncle’s pronto pup stand. The stories from her time on the midway-shared with aunts, uncles, and cousins- were filled with laughter, and a bit of mischief. She delighted in retelling them.

Joanie graduated from South High School in 1963 and was active in many social clubs, forming friendships that lasted a lifetime. A gifted poet and natural storyteller, Joanie had a true way with words. She was honored to be chosen as the speaker at her senior banquet-a reflection of her vibrant spirit and the admiration others had for her.

As a child, Joanie was stricken with polio, a challenge that affected her mobility and resulted in lifelong complications. Her strength and resilience never wavered. Her time in the hospital sparked a deep compassion for others and inspired her to pursue her interest in the medical field. She served at Veteran’s Hospital, Hillcrest Health Care Center, and provided home health care. Caring for others was not just her job-it is who she was.

Joanie’s mother was one of 13 children, and the large family gatherings at her grandpa and grandma Hanson’s farm in Pine City were filled with warmth and laughter, creating cherished lifetime memories. It was during one of these family visits that she met Edward “Eddy” Shermer-a meeting that would shape the rest of her life.

Joanie and Eddy dated for five years before marrying in September of 1964. Together they built a life raising four children: Tammy, Troy, Donna and Lori. In 1972 they moved their family from Minneapolis to Rock Creek. After Eddy’s passing in 1989, Joanie remained in that Rock Creek home and continued to express her creativity through sewing, baking, cake decorating, and crafting. She especially loved Christmas and Halloween, pouring her imagination and artistic touch into every detail.

Joanie had a deep love for her family and will be remembered for her resilience, humor, creativity and storytelling. She was always there with an open door and phone line when you needed to talk, laugh, cry or just receive a dose of her quick wit and sarcasm. She will be dearly missed and always in our hearts.

Joanie is survived by her children: Tammy (Joe) Plasek, Troy Shermer (Wendy) all of Pine City, Donna Haugen (Tim) of Zumbrota, and Lori (Dustin) Irlbeck of Pine City; grandchildren: Jennifer Plasek, Nikki (Luke) Anderson, Amber (Austin) Newman, Ashley Haugen (Kevin), Brandon Haugen, Brennen (Mollie) Shermer, Blake Shermer (Emma), Lindsey Irlbeck, Karly Irlbeck and Brady Irlbeck; 8 great-grandchildren; sisters-in-law Donna Henderson, Mary Shermer both of Pine City, Carolyn Shermer of Siren, WI; many beloved family and friends.

She was preceded in death by her parents William and Evelyn Jungers; husband Edward Shermer; siblings William ‘Junior’ Jungers, Eileen DeRungs, Agnes Palach, Patricia Henkel; father and mother-in-law Frank Shermer and Evelyn Jacobson, sister-in-law Ione Shermer, brothers-in-law Myron Shermer and Frank ‘Mike’ Shermer.

Tom Martini will officiate the Memorial Service for Joanie: 7:00 PM; Friday, March 20, 2026 with a time of visitation two hours prior to the service all at the Swanson Funeral Chapel of Pine City.

Funeral arrangements are entrusted to: Funeral and Cremation Service of Pine City, Swanson Chapel.

www.FuneralAndCremationService.com

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