Joan G (Schweim) Lee

Mankato Mortuary
388-2202

Joan Lee, age 72 of Mankato, stepped peacefully into the arms of her Savior on Thursday, March 31, 2011 after a two-year struggle with multiple illnesses.

Funeral Service will be held at 11 a.m. Monday, April 4, 2011 at Immanuel Lutheran Church, Mankato, with Rev. Paul Nolting officiating. Visitation will be from 2-4 p.m. on Sunday at Mankato Mortuary, and will continue one hour prior to the service at church on Monday. Memorials can be sent to Immanuel Lutheran Church Choir.

Joan was born on March 17, 1939 in Lake Benton, Minnesota, to Martin and Marian Mathison. Growing up in a small town meant making lifelong friends as she made her way through high school with a small, close-knit group of classmates. She moved to Mankato in 1957 to attend Mankato State University, pursuing a degree in elementary education and the arts. On October 30, 1959, she married Earl "Bud" Schweim. They raised three children, spending the rest of her life in Mankato.

Over the years, Joan used her talents and creativity working for companies such as Fab "n Trim, Shopko, Brett's Bridal, and for the past 20 years, Chris Tailor Shop. Her coworkers and customers would say that her warm smile and bubbly personality meant as much to them as the fact that she was an accomplished and gifted seamstress. She won the hearts of many with her quick wit and generosity. She was an astute shopper who always found the bargains, so it was great fun for her to spend the day with her daughter or sister or friends on shopping excursions. She loved theater, enjoying regular visits to the local plays as well as the Chanhassen Dinner Theater. Music has always meant a lot to Joan, whether it was listening to her favorite CD, going to concerts, or singing in her church choir. If you were to ask her about her favorite activities, she would no doubt put being with her granddaughters at the top of the list. From wearing silly hats to having tea parties to taking walks at Sibley Park, she never missed the opportunity to spend time with them.

Joan made friends easily and could count people from 6 months to 96 years in that category. She made a point to recognize birthdays and other special occasions, truly excited to share in the joys of life with those she loved. She also had a number of "friends" over the years that fit in the four-legged, furry category. Anyone who knew Joan knew that she loved cats in particular, as was evidenced by the many cats she befriended in her life as well as her collection of cat memorabilia. She seemed to be drawn to those animals who shared her gentle spirit. Many people have had the privilege of having known Joan, of sharing life with her, and she no doubt will be deeply missed. Her family celebrates her life and cherishes the memories she leaves with us.

She is survived by her husband of 6 years, Wayne Lee; her three children, Lane Schweim, Lori Bode (Mark), Lee (Pete) Schweim and two granddaughters, Anna & Sarah; a sister, Loralee Miller (Stan) of Minneota, her brother Larry Mathison (Imren) of Idaho, as well as Wayne's 5 children and their families, Dennis Lee, Jan Summerville, Paul Lee all of North Carolina, Shawn Kurtzahn (Martin) of Ohio, and Martin Lee of St. Peter. She also leaves behind cousins, nieces, nephews, and many, many friends.

She is preceded in death by her parents, Martin & Marian Mathison and her husband of almost 40 years, Earl "Bud" Schweim.