Joan M. Goettl

Joan Mary (Trio) Goettl, age 82, of Mankato, died peacefully on February 6, 2017, at Pathstone Living, after a 30 year battle with cancer.

Mass of Christian Burial will be held at 1:30 p.m., Saturday, February 11, 2017, at SS Peter and Paul Catholic Church, Mankato, MN with Father Richard Yevchak, IVE officiating.  Visitation will be 4-7 p.m., Friday at Mankato Mortuary, and continues one hour before service at the church. Burial is in Calvary Cemetery, Mankato. 

Joan was born May 25, 1934, to Peter and Lucy (Goettl) Trio in Mankato, MN and grew up in Mapleton, MN. Joan was valedictorian of her Mapleton High School class of 1952 and went on to pursue her RN degree at St. Catherine's School of Nursing in 1956. On December 28, 1957, she married the love of her life LaVern Goettl, in Mapleton, MN.  Joan was a nursing instructor for several years at ISJ hospital in Mankato.  She was also instrumental in the start-up of Oaklawn Health Care Center.  She worked at Sunrise Cottages in Mankato.  Joan enjoyed helping with school lunches, Red Cross blood drives and soup suppers.  She volunteered at SS Peter and Paul Catholic Church and taught CCD classes.  She was a member of Catholic Order of Foresters Court 552, Mankato, President of Parish Council of Women, and the Rosary Society. She was special caregiver for other relatives. Above all, she cherished being a loving wife, devoted mother and grandmother. She especially enjoyed Christmas shopping and baking for the grandchildren, and watching their sports activities. She enjoyed dancing and gardening. Her family and faith were the center of her life. Joan was truly an inspiration to many people and blessed us with so many abilities. She will be remembered for her boundless love, kindness, compassion, and wisdom. She taught us all, the right way to live, through her unselfish service to others. 

Joan is survived by her husband, LaVern, of Mankato;  her children, Daniel Goettl of North Mankato, Michael (Winnie) Goettl of Connecticut, Jeanne (Tom) Lutz of Minneapolis, Jim (Anne) of Mankato.  13 grandchildren; 1 great-grandson;  brothers, Charles Trio, Joe (Darlene) Trio, August (Eileen) Trio; sisters-in-law, Vera Trio, Joyce Goettl, Louise Haefner, Barb Goettl; brothers-in-law, David (Cory) Goettl, Adrian (Mary Jo) Goettl; also survived by many nieces, nephews, cousins and other loving relatives and friends.  She was preceded in death by parents, Peter and Lucy; in-laws, Clem and Lilly Goettl; daughter, Virginia Mary; daughter-in-law, Michele (Wendland) Goettl;  brother, Dennis Trio; sister-in-law, Joanne Trio; brothers-in-law, Marland Goettl, Francis Goettl, and Sylvester Haefner.