Here is Joan’s obituary and funeral information. 

Joan Mae Nord, 81, of Prior Lake Minnesota passed away peacefully on December 14, 2023, at Region’s Hospital in St. Paul.

Joan was born on May 5, 1942, to John and Marie Piatz. She grew up in Towner, North Dakota where she lived until moving to Minneapolis, MN where she met her husband, John Nord. They married in 1965 and John passed just before their 40th wedding anniversary.

John and Joan built their first home in Eagan, MN, where they met many lifelong friends. Joan had a way with people, no matter where she went she ran into someone she knew or met a new friend along the way. She touched so many peoples lives, whether they knew her for a few minutes or 60 years. She went out of her way to make someone feel special and to make sure she was a part of their lives. John and Joan built their retirement home in Prior Lake, MN in 1993 where they continued many more friendships.

Joan started her career in statistics at North Central Airlines. After retirement, she continued working for over 30 years at Cedarvale Lanes and Fitz’s, where she was a local celebrity.

She loved many things including being the first on the dance floor and the last one to leave, pull tabs with her horseshoe luck, playing all kinds of cards, a stroll on the beach, tending to her hosta garden, and spending every moment she could with her granddaughters.

Joan is proceeded in death by her husband John Nord; parents John and Marie Piatz; siblings Rosie Piatz, David Piatz, and survived by her children Anne Anderson (John Anderson) and Mark Nord; granddaughters Ashley Hogenson (Drew Anderson), Tiara Nord, Amanda Anderson, Alii Anderson and Isabelle Anderson; great grandson Everett Anderson. She was the matriarch of the family and incredibly loved by all.

Up until the day she passed, she was whistling, tapping her toes and singing along with Chicken Fried by Zac Brown Band.

Celebration of life will be on Wednesday December 20th, 2023. Visitation begins at 9:00 am and Funeral Mass at 11:00 am at St. Thomas Becket, 4455 S. Robert Trail, Eagan, MN, 55123. Interment will be at 1 pm at Fort Snelling National Cemetery.

In lieu of flowers, memorials preferred to the American Cancer Society.

We will also be live streaming the funeral on St. Thomas Becket website.

We will also be gathering to celebrate Nana at Fitzs Bar & Grill after the burial.  Those are welcome to go to Fitzs if not attending the burial and family should be there by 2:30.