Joan Ailene Larson 74, died on November 23, 2011 at the Maplewood Care Center, Maplewood, MN. She was born July 12, 1937 in the former Biwabik Hospital, the daughter of John and Elmi (Maki/Gozdanovich) Willman. Joan graduated from Biwabik High School in 1955. She attended Virginia Junior College and completed a psychiatric technician course in Hartford Connecticut. Joan married Kenneth Larson on May 28, 1960 in Biwabik. Joan was a recent resident of Oakdale, MN but lived most of her life in Biwabik, Hoyt Lakes, and Virginia. Throughout her life, Joan was involved in the BACA, the planning and zoning committee for the City of Biwabik, and the Iron Range Historical Society where she was a co-project director on "Changing Attitudes of Women on the Mesabi Range." She also wrote weekly articles for the Biwabik Times on one of her passions: Antiques. Joan was an artist who loved to draw, paint, and knit.. She was a former Girl Scout Leader, a former member of the Biwabik United Church of Christ where she taught Sunday school classes and was a former President of the Women's Fellowship. Joan was lucky to work for/with many wonderful people. She worked at the Eshquagama Country Club in Lakeland, Range Music in Virginia, the Virginia Municipal Hospital, the White Community Hospital in Aurora, as a sales clerk at Edwards Oil Lucky 7 stores in Biwabik and Virginia, and was a manager of the Edwards Oil Lucky 7 store in Aurora.
Joan is survived by siblings Jon Willman of Makinen, Elmer Willman of Lakeland, Jane (Sonny Rogers) Willman of Independence, MO, Janice (Alan Kulaszewicz)Willman of Peters Creek, AK; her children Lori Lyson of Biwabik, Lisa Larson of Virginia , Keith (Shirley) Larson of Turtle Lake, WI, Julie Larson of Oakdale, MN; grandchildren Jeremy (Kirstie) Lyson, Parker, James, Dennis, Michael and Kaitlyn; one great-grandchild Jeffrey; an Aunt Elvira; and many nephews, nieces, friends, and neighbors. She will be missed by all who knew her.
She was preceded in death by her parents, John and Elmi and her husband Kenneth.
A Gathering Time for family and friends will be held Tuesday, November 29, 2011 from 1:00 p.m. until the 2:00 p.m. Memorial Service in the Bauman-Cron Funeral Home Chapel, 516 S. First St., Virginia, MN. Inurnment will take place in the Lakeside Cemetery in Biwabik.
Family services provided by Bauman-Cron, A Bauman Family Funeral Home in Virginia. To share personal condolences online, please see: www.baumanfuneralhome.com .


Born: July 12, 1937 Place of Birth: Biwabik, MN Death: November 23, 2011 Place of Death: Maplewood, MN Occupation: Store Manager for Edward's Oil Hobbies: Antiques, drawing, painting, and knitting Organizations: Former member of the Biwabik United Church of Christ Gathering Time for Family & Friends Tuesday November 29, 2011 , 1:00 p.m. - 2:00 p.m. at Bauman-Cron Funeral Home Chapel
Memorial Service Tuesday November 29, 2011 , 2:00 p.m. at Bauman-Cron Funeral Home Chapel
Spring Inurnment Lakeside Cemetery
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