Joan Kind

Joan (Joni) Marilyn Kind, died November 1, 2018 at New Perspective Senior Living in Mankato, Minnesota. 

Memorial service will be held 11:00 a.m., Saturday, November 10, 2018 at Crossview Covenant Church, 2000 Howard Drive, North Mankato.  Visitation will be from 4-7 p.m., Friday, November 9, 2018 at Northview-North Mankato Mortuary, 2060 Commerce Drive, in North Mankato and one hour prior to the service at the church.

Joan (Joni) Marilyn Kind was born to Oscar and (Florence) Irene Anderson on September 9, 1931 in Red Wing, MN twenty minutes before her identical twin sister, Jean.  Joan enjoyed growing up on the farm with her sister and older brother Bob, doing chores on the farm and helping her mom in the kitchen. After graduating from Ellsworth High School in 1949, Joan managed Marigold Dairy Bar in Red Wing, MN for two years, then painted placeware for Red Wing Pottery. On April 5, 1951 she married her high school sweetheart, Clinton John Kind in the Svea Lutheran Church Parsonage in Hager City, Wisconsin.  The couple lived at Havre de Grace, MD, Bainbridge, MD, and Oxford, PA, while Clint served in the Navy and Joan served in the base PX. Their first son, Arn was born during this time in 1953.  Their second son, John, was born in 1954. In 1955, after Clint's discharge from the Navy, the couple moved to Mankato where Clint earned a degree in Business Education at Mankato State College.  It was during this time that their third son, Dan (1957) was born.  In 1958 the couple moved first to Hager City, then to Ellsworth, WI where their fourth son Chuck was born (1961).  While Joan raised their four sons, Clint taught high school business education and world history. In 1962, Joan and the four boys moved in with Joan's parents on her family farm, while Clint returned to Mankato State University to earn a Master's degree in Business Education/ Accounting. Upon completion of his Master's degree in 1963, the couple moved to Mankato, where their fifth son, Steve was born. Clint was employed as a professor of accounting at Mankato State University.  Joan and Clint would spend the remainder of their lives at five different residences in Mankato.  Joan and Clint started Kind Accounting & Tax Service, where Joan was a jill of all trades, doing the clerical and secretarial work.  They started two Dairy Queen franchises in Mankato, which Joan managed.  After selling the Dairy Queen franchises, Joan was employed as the accountant for the law firm of Blethen, Gage & Krause for 22 years.  During four of those years she also served as Treasurer of her church: Crossview Covenant.

For 67 years Joan was a loving wife and a devoted mother to her five boys.  She was an avid golfer, bridge-player, an irrepressible Vikings Fan and a Packers fan (when they weren't playing the Vikings).  She loved playing gin and euchre with Clint and at the time of her passing was only down by $401.64 to him.  For over 40 years Joan and Clint made many family memories all over the United States and Canada, camping in everything from primitive tents to luxurious motor-homes. Joan loved laughing with and spoiling her nine grandchildren and six great-grandchildren.

Joan was preceded in death by her parents; her in-laws, John (Hannah) Kind; brother, Robert Anderson; and brothers-in-law, Barry Baringer, Bob Strusz, and Rich Waldron.  She is survived by her husband, Clinton; sons, Arn (Meg), John (Wendy) both of Mankato, Dan (Cheryl) of St. Paul, Chuck (Allene) of Mankato & Steve (Susan) of North Mankato; as well as nine grandchildren, Nicole (Matt Forbes), Christopher (Angelyn Faust), Mallory (Luke Howk), Emma (Matt Norland), Heather (Jason Bauman), Andrew (Amber Sandau), AJ (Meredith Larson), Cassie-Violet, and Ally.  Joan is also survived by six great-grandchildren, Emmitt Howk, Jacob Norland, Issabella Rose & Gabriella Bauman, and Oliver & Sullivan Kind.  She is also survived by twin sister, Jean Baringer; in-laws, Laura (Ron Anderson) and Arline Anderson.

Joan was a member of Crossview Covenant Church and demonstrated daily a strong faith in her Lord and Savior with whom she now resides.

The family would like to express their deep gratitude to the wonderful people at New Perspectives Senior Living Center and Mayo Hospice for the expert care and the compassion they displayed daily as they cheerfully treated Joan and did everything in their power to make her as comfortable as possible throughout her last days.

The families prefer that memorials be sent to Clinton J. Kind Family Scholarship Endowment Fund at Minnesota State University, Mankato or Crossview Covenant Church in North Mankato.