Joan Jean Nielson

Joan Jean Nielson peacefully left us on March 18, 2024, at the age of 86.

Funeral services will be 2:00 PM on Saturday, March 23, 2024, at Vangen Lutheran Church in Mission Hill, South Dakota with Reverend Brent Ashby officiating.  The service will be live streamed and can be viewed at www.facebook.com/wintzray.  Burial will be in the Garden of Memories Cemetery in Yankton, South Dakota.  Visitation is from 5:00 to 7:00 PM on Friday, March 22, 2024, at the Wintz & Ray Funeral Home in Yankton with a prayer service at 7:00 PM.  Memorials may be directed to Vangen Lutheran Church or Yankton County 4-H.

Joan was born on March 24, 1937 at the family home in Yankton, South Dakota, the only child of Vandal and Dorothy (Voll) Madison.  She led an adventurous early life moving with the family as her father worked construction.  This meant her starting school in Martin, South Dakota, but eventually graduating from Yankton High School.

On October 5th, 1955 she started her greatest adventure with Luther Olaf Nielson.  Together they built a respectable farming operation while raising their three sons.  That lifetime effort was recognized by the Yankton Chamber naming them Farm Family of the Year in 2008.  Joan wore many hats throughout her years, working professionally for Lenard Ludwig Insurance, Gurneys and 20 years for the Community Health Department in the Yankton County Courthouse.
  
Volunteer work was always at the forefront of the family.  Joan served in several capacities at her church, Vangen Lutheran.  The 4-H program was also a central theme serving in both the extension club and as a 4-H leader for 14 years.  She even went so far as to guide her entire club of boys in exhibiting decorated cakes at the county fair.  Never one to be idle, she was also involved with the Yankton China Painters Association, the American Legion Auxiliary of Gayville, the VFW Auxiliary of Yankton, the Band Parents Association and was a Cub Scout Den Mother.

Anyone who had the opportunity to partake will tell you that Joan was an amazing cook and baker.  A large garden fueled the kitchen and summer canning stocked the shelves throughout the year.  Whether it was feeding a tableful of hired men or a gathering of friends and family, no one went home hungry.  

Joan always wanted a big family.  She is survived by her three sons: Darrell (Michelle) Nielson of Mission Hill, Leslie (Andrea) Nielson of Rapid City and Tony (Michele) Nielson of Brookings.  She is also survived by 10 grandchildren, 4 great-grandchildren and many nieces and nephews.  

She was preceded in death by her husband of 57 years and her parents.