Joan J. (Liestman) Wicklund

Joan J. Wicklund, 92 of Spicer, died September 27, 2026 at CentraCare-Rice Memorial Hospital in Willmar. Visitation will be held from 5:00 to 7:00 p.m. Wednesday, September 30, 2026, at Harvey Anderson & Johnson Funeral Home in New London. At Joan’s request, private graveside services will be held at Spicer City Cemetery.  A Celebration of Life will be announced at a later date.  In lieu of flowers, memorials are preferred to Waters Edge Ministries (formerly GLLM).  

Joan June Wicklund was born on December 10, 1933, in Paynesville to Ben and Hattie (Zirbes) Liestman.  She grew up in Paynesville and attended Paynesville High School, graduating in 1951.  Joan was united in marriage to George Wicklund on June 19, 1954, at the Evangelical United Brethren Church in Paynesville. They made their home in Willmar, where she worked for Gamble Robinson. They moved to their home on George Lake in 1963. There, she began working as a teacher’s aide for the New London-Spicer School District, returning several years later to Gamble-Robinson until its closing. She then worked for Farm Service Elevator, followed by her favorite role as the kitchen manager at Green Lake Lutheran Ministries, not retiring until she was 83.  Joan and George shared 55 years of marriage before his death on June 27, 2009. 

Joan was a member of Faith Lutheran Church, where she directed the children’s choir for many years.  She enjoyed baking, gardening, sewing, knitting, crocheting, playing whist and 31, and lake life—even water skiing into her 70s. She loved hosting gatherings of all kinds, including card parties, company picnics, and family reunions. Joan was renowned for her baking, especially her Christmas cookies and rosettes, filling her freezer every year to share with family and friends. 

Joan died on Sunday, September 27, 2026, at Rice Memorial Hospital at the age of 92.  She is survived by her children: Bradley Wicklund (partner, Bob Aigner) of Monticello, Mark Wicklund of New London, and Jana (Terry) Hald of Spicer; grandchildren: Bronson, Garrett, Ty and Toryce; great-grandchildren: Breonna, Brenden and Jace; and sister, Donna Warner. 

Joan was preceded in death by her parents; husband, George; son, Randy; grandchildren, Daniel and Teeyn; and siblings, Evangeline, Virginia, Lila, Arthur, Arnold, Bernie and David. 

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