Joan Evelyn Shermer

Joan Shermer passed away unexpectedly yet peacefully in her Rock Creek home on February 21, 2026, at the age of 81.

Born on January 9, 1945, in Minneapolis to William and Evelyn (Hanson) Jungers, she was lovingly known as Joanie. Raised in South Minneapolis, her faith and sense of community were shaped at Trinity Lutheran Church, where she attended catechism classes and later cared for children in the church nursery. She cherished summers working at her uncle’s pronto pup stand at the state fair, sharing laughter and mischief with aunts, uncles, and cousins, stories she delighted in retelling throughout her life.

A graduate of South High School in 1963, Joanie was active in many social clubs and formed friendships that endured for decades. A gifted poet and natural storyteller, she was chosen to speak at her senior banquet, a testament to her vibrant spirit and the admiration she inspired. As a child she contracted polio, which affected her mobility and brought lifelong challenges. Her time in the hospital deepened her compassion for others and led her to a career in healthcare, where she served at Veterans Hospital, Hillcrest Health Care Center, and in home health care. Caring for people was not merely her work but the very essence of who she was.

During family gatherings at her grandparents’ farm in Pine City, Joanie met Edward “Eddy” Shermer. After five years of dating, they married in September 1964 and raised four children: Tammy, Troy, Donna, and Lori. In 1972 the family moved to Rock Creek, where Joanie remained after Eddy’s death in 1989. She expressed her creativity through sewing, baking, cake decorating, and crafting, especially enjoying the festive details of Christmas and Halloween.

Joanie will be remembered for her resilience, humor, creativity, and storytelling. She was always ready with an open door, a listening ear, quick wit, and a touch of sarcasm. She is survived by her children Tammy (Joe) Plasek, Troy Shermer (Wendy), Donna Haugen (Tim), and Lori (Dustin) Irlbeck; her grandchildren and great-grandchildren; and many beloved family members and friends. She was preceded in death by her husband Edward Shermer, her parents, siblings, and in-laws.