Joan Kay (Erickson) Kujala, wife, mother, grandmother, sister and dear friend to all passed away peacefully at her home on Spirit Lake in Mountain Iron, MN on December 4, 2017 after a long battle with cancer, at the age of 73.

Joan is survived by her loving husband of 53 years, Jerry. They were married in Trout Lake, MN on October 10, 1964.

Joan was born in Crookston, MN on July 18, 1944 to Lillian and Robert Erickson. She graduated from Greenway Highschool in 1962, attended Itasca Junior College and then Hibbing Community College to earn her nursing degree in 1977, while raising three kids. She worked as a Surgery Tech at St. Lukes Hospital in Duluth until 1976 and then as a Registered Nurse at the Virginia Regional Medical Center until she retired in 2002.

Joan was known for her extraordinary kindness and generosity. She was an active member of Messiah Lutheran Church in Mt. Iron and enjoyed a full life of activities including camping with her family, gardening, canning and sewing. She was also an avid sports fan and was a UMD hockey season ticket holder for 45 years, loved watching the Timberwolves and Twins, and traveled to many NASCAR races in the RV with her family. She shared a lifelong love of cars, snowmobiling, traveling and road trips to visit friends and relatives in Arizona with Jerry and she especially enjoyed attending her grandkids' performances, games, and other special events.

Joan is lovingly remembered by her son David (Mary) Kujala of Rosemount, MN; her daughter Jennifer (Jeffrey) Schmitz of Rogers, MN; her daughter Christine (Ross) Beckwith of Inver Grove Heights, MN; her nine grandchildren Kacey, Sarah, and Arin Joan Kujala, Ryan, Andrew, and Zachary Schmitz and Claudia, Max and Greta Beckwith; sister Gail (Jerry) Ruuhela of Bovey, MN; brother-in-law Keith (Jayne) Peterson of Cotton, MN; brother-in-law Richard Kujala of Bovey, MN; stepfather Steve Hecomovich of Grand Rapids, MN; sister-in-law Sue Kujala of Grand Rapids; lifelong friends Dennis and JoAnne Tennison of Bovey, MN, Jerry and Cheryl Jurek of McGregor, MN and Sandy Kendall of Duluth; many beloved nieces, nephews, extended family and friends; and three granddogs.

Joan was preceded in death by her loving parents and her dear sister, Linda Peterson.

The family would like to extend their sincere heartful gratitude to Dr. Nikcevich and all of the hospice staff at Essentia Health

The Memorial Service will be held at 3:00 p.m. on Saturday, December 9, 2017 at Messiah Lutheran Church, 8590 Enterprise Drive South in Mt. Iron. Pastor Kristin Foster will officiate. A gathering of family and friends will be held one hour prior to the service at the church.

Memorial donations may be directed to the American Cancer Society.

Family services provided by Bauman-Cron, A Bauman Family Funeral Home in Virginia. To share condolences online, please see: www.baumanfuneralhome.com .

Gathering Time for Family & Friends

Saturday December 9, 2017 , 2:00 PM - 3:00 PM at Messiah Lutheran Church

Memorial Service

Saturday December 9, 2017 , 3:00 PM at Messiah Lutheran Church

1-888-579-7953 Code: 74804P


Facts Born: July 18, 1944
Place of Birth: Crookston, MN United States
Death: December 4, 2017
Place of Death: Buhl, MN United States
Occupation: Surgery Tech at St. Lukes Hospital in Duluth until 1976 and then as a Registered Nurse at the Virginia Regional Medical Center until she retired in 2002
Hobbies: an avid sports fan and was a UMD hockey season ticket holder for 45 years, loved watching the Timberwolves and Twins, and traveled to many NASCAR races in the RV with her family. She shared a lifelong love of cars, snowmobiling, traveling and road trips to visit friends and relatives in Arizona with Jerry and she especially enjoyed attending her grandkids' performances, games, and other special events.
Organizations: an active member of Messiah Lutheran Church in Mt. Iron

Memorial Donations Memorial donations can be made to:
American Cancer Society