Joan Ruth (Hoffman) Bregel was born October 3, 1937, in Sibley, Iowa to the late Noel and Mary (Eakin) Hoffman. Joan attended Windom High School and graduated in 1956. She then attended Humbolt Institute, where she received her diploma on February 21, 1957, and was employed by North Central Airlines.

Joan was united in marriage to James Michael Bregel on June 15, 1957, at the St. Francis Xavier Catholic Church in Windom, where Joan was also baptized. The couple raised five children, Jeanne, Jacalyn, Jill, Michael, and Matthew. Joan and James made their home in Windom before moving to Fish Lake in 1964. The couple enjoyed 65 years together and shared a great love for their family and grandchildren. Joan's enjoyments included baking, gardening, and spending time on Fish Lake.

Joan spent many years as a homemaker and then started her career as a paraprofessional with the Windom School District, when her youngest, Matt, was school age. After 22 years, Joan retired in May of 2000. Joan was a member of St. Francis Xavier Catholic Church in Windom and was an active member and President of the Council of Catholic Women for many years. She also was a longtime, dedicated member of her ladies' coffee group for over 40 years.

Left to cherish Joan's memory are her husband of sixty-five years, James Bregel of Windom, MN; five children, Jeanne (Michael) McCarthy of Jackson, MN, Jacalyn (Michael) Koranda of Rochester, MN, Jill (Richard) Hanson of Shawnee, KS, Michael Bregel of Windom, MN, Matthew (Michelle) Bregel of De Soto, KS; 9 grandchildren; 7 great-grandchildren; one sister, Betty Jones of Austin, MN; two half-sisters, Pamela Hoffman of Tucson, AZ; and Patricia Heinen of Savage, MN.

Joan was preceded in death by her parents, Noel and Mary (Eakin) Hoffman; stepmother, June Hoffman; granddaughter, Kayla Koranda; and brother-in-law, Jerry Jones.

Blessed be the memory of Joan Bregel.