Joan Catherine Karpinsky

Joan C. Karpinsky, age 89, of Mankato, died on September 13, 2024 surrounded by her family at The Pillars. 

Funeral Mass will be held on September 28, 2024 at 11:00 a.m. at St. John the Baptist Catholic Church, Mankato. Visitation will be 9:30-11:00 a.m. on September 28 prior to the service at the church. Burial will be in Calvary Cemetery. Northview-North Mankato Mortuary is in charge of arrangements. In lieu of flowers, memorials are preferred to Moments Hospice and the American Heart Association. 

Joan was born on November 14, 1934 to Jerome and Ethel (Noll) Ritter in Chokio, MN. She attended a one room country school until high school and graduated from Chokio High School in 1952. Joan married her high school sweetheart, Herbert Karpinsky on June 15, 1954 in Chokio. Joan received her LPN license and worked at Steven’s Hospital in Morris and Oaklawn Health Care Center. Joan and Herbert lived in Sioux Falls, S.D., Stewartville, Rochester, and Madison, WI before moving to Mankato in 1961. Joan was involved in the CCW where she was treasurer for two years and was a member of the Nicollet County Home Extension. In her earlier years she enjoyed gardening and canning. She was a wonderful quilter and made many quilts for her family. Joan loved family trips, 50th Anniversary trip to Florida, 55th Anniversary trip to Kalahari, 60th Anniversary trip to Jackson Hole, and 65th Anniversary trip to Colorado Springs. She enjoyed spending time with her family at her cabin, Karps Kamp.

Joan is survived by her children, Adrian (Kathy) Karpinsky, Cheryl (Lyle) Danberry, Theresa Karpinski, Paul Karpinsky (Recie Fontaine), Michael (Katherine) Karpinsky, John (Kristen) Karpinsky, Ann (Todd) Beske, and Julie Karpinsky; grandchildren, Emily and Aaron Danberry, Lindsay and Zachary Karpinsky, Michele Alba, Nichole Everman, Kalley Karpinsky, Maia, Jackson, and Julia Karpinsky, and Alexis and Riley Beske; great-grandchildren, Amelia, Eavan, Lillian, Ronan, Jayden, Alec, Marcel, and Gracin; and sisters-in-law, Virginia Ritter and Lillian Ritter. She was preceded in death by her parents; husband, Herbert; brothers, Robert, Vincent, Fabian, and Edward Ritter; and sisters, Veronica Golombiecki and Eileen Riley. 

Joan’s family would like to give a special thank you to Moments Hospice and the staff at The Pillars.