Joan Adele Hamre, the daughter of Amil and Eunice (Hove) Haugen was born on December 7, 1933, in Rake, Iowa. She died on September 14, 2024, at the Good Samaritan Society in Estherville at the age of 90 years.
Joan graduated from Blue Earth High School in 1952 before earning her LPN degree in 1969 and later her RN degree in 1981 from Iowa Lakes Community College.
She married Melford Hamre on June 20, 1952, at Zion Lutheran Church in Rake, Iowa and to this union, six children were born, Michael, Judith, Suzan, Andrew, Paul and Christopher.
In her early years she was a waitress at the Gardston Hotel and was a nurse’s aide at Balmer’s Nursing Home. She was employed at Holy Family Hospital in Estherville working in the surgery department from 1969 until her retirement in 1996. She returned to work in 1998 at the Good Samaritan Society, retiring from there in 2011.
In her free time, Joan enjoyed horseback riding, reading and going on bus trips and cruises.
She was a member of Redeemer Lutheran Church.
Joan is survived by her children, Michael Hamre, Suzan (Greg) Haburn, Andrew Hamre, Paul (Tina) Hamre, and Christopher Hamre; her son-in-law, Dave Ross; grandchildren, David, Craig, Josh, Chase, Lilly, Stephen, Cassy, Dannielle, Katie, Alyssa, Andy, Ryan, Erin and Mike; 15 great-grandchildren; her siblings, Carole Zierke, Arlowe Haugen, Dawn (Dick) Hanson, Gary Haugen, Orvis (Sue) Millang, Jerald Millang, Janet (Gary) Korogi, David Millang, Deborah (Kenneth) Boley, and Doug Jagerson; and sister-in-law, Marlys Jagerson.
She is preceded in death by her parents, husband, daughter, Judy, her grandson Cole, siblings, Steve Haugen, Imery (Gene) Millang, Jerry Millang, Scott Jagerson, Elaine Schtrop, and Gloria Risius, brothers-in-law, Merle Zierke, and Harold Risius, sister-in-law, Ruth Haugen, niece Kristie, and nephews, Jeff, Wade, and Shawn.
In lieu of flowers, Joan’s family requests memorials to Redeemer Lutheran Church, Estherville.
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