In Memory

Joan Biesmann (Stoterau)

Joan Biesmann (Stoterau)

Harrisburg, SD ~ Joan Carol Stoterau, age 71, died on Monday, January 23, 2017 at the Hudson Care Center in Hudson, SD.

A memorial service celebrating her life will be held at 10:00 AM on Saturday, January 28, 2017 at Good Shepherd Lutheran Church in Sioux Falls, SD with visitation beginning one hour prior to the service.  Joan will be buried next to her husband, Lyle and daughter, Kelly at Pleasant View Cemetery in Hartley, IA.  

Joan Carol Biesmann, daughter of the Rev. Roman and Jeanette (Kolpack) Biesmann, was born February 1, 1945 in Wausau, WI.  Joan and her siblings, being children of a Lutheran Pastor were raised in the communities of Hurley WI, Muskegon Heights MI, Norwalk WI, and Abrams, WI, that Rev. Biesmann served.  Joan attended and graduated from Dr. Martin Luther High School in New Ulm MN.  Following high school Joan moved to Milwaukee, WI and began working for North Central Airlines.  While working for North Central Airlines she met and fell in love with Lyle Otto Stoterau.

Joan and Lyle were united in marriage on April 28, 1973 in Oak Creek, WI. The couple moved to Sioux Falls in 1974 where they lived before making their home in rural Harrisburg, SD in 1980.  Joan worked in the home while her children were young then began working for Sears Credit Service and their affiliated businesses for many years, now Citibank until her retirement in 2004.  She then began working part-time as a cashier at the Eastside Walmart and volunteering for many years at Good Shephard Lutheran School Library.  Joan was a member of Good Shepherd Lutheran Church in Sioux Falls. 

Joan had a love of nature and cared deeply for the environment.  She also loved all animals from her many dogs, cats and horses to the birds she would feed on the farm.  She enjoyed working in her vegetable/flower garden and just spending time outdoors. She was a loving wife, mother, grandmother, sister, aunt, cousin and friend who will be greatly missed by all those who shared her life.

Grateful for having shared her life are two children, Susan Stoterau of Ocala, FL, and Brian Stoterau of Harrisburg, SD; one grandson, Brayden Stoterau; two sisters, Barb (Reinold) Hagen of Fairmont, MN, and Sharon Larimore of Green Valley, IL; one brother, John (Marty) Biesmann of Georgetown, TX; adopted sister, Kay Dreamtrader of New Mexico; niece, Kathy (Leon) Gebhardt; and two nephews, David (Karna) Hagen and Doug Greene; and a host of other relatives and friends.

Joan was preceded in death by her parents; husband, Lyle Otto Stoterau on November 22, 2010; and a daughter, Kelly Stoterau.