Joan Tabatt

Joan R. Tabatt, age 89, of Hastings and formerly of St. Rosa, died Thursday, May 21, 2009 at the Regina Medical Center Senior Living in Hastings.

Mass of Christian Burial will be held at 11 a.m. Tuesday, May 26 at St. Rose of Lima Catholic Church in St. Rosa with Rev. Art Hoppe officiating. Interment will be in Oak Hill Cemetery in Melrose.

Friends may call from 4 to 8 p.m. Monday at the Patton-Schad Funeral Home in Melrose and from 10 to 11 a.m. Tuesday at the church in St. Rosa. Christian Mothers will pray at 7:15 p.m. immediately following will be parish prayers at 7:30 p.m. Monday evening.

Joan Smith was born December 15, 1919 in Minneapolis, Minnesota to Albert and Anna (Wilwerding) Smith. On April 19, 1941 she married Arnold Tabatt at the Basilica of St. Mary in Minneapolis. The couple farmed near St. Rosa until June 10, 1994. Joan taught religion at St. Rose of Lima Catholic Church and was a choir member. She worked as a volunteer at Pine Villa Care Center in Melrose for 8 years. After her husband died in 1994, she moved to the Belgrade Nursing Home and was President of the Resident's Council. The last 13 years Joan resided at Regina Medical Center Senior Living in Hastings. Joan was a member of St. Rose of Lima Catholic Church in St. Rosa and the Christian Mothers.

Survivors include her children, Alfred Tabatt (friend, Mary Ann Wessel) of Milaca, Richard (Ginny) Tabatt of Sauk Centre, Emil (Paulette) Tabatt of St. Cloud, Rosemary Tabatt of Hastings, Edward Tabatt of St. Cloud, Dorothy (Mark) Marthaler of Sauk Centre, Roger Tabatt of Rice, Gloria (Dave) Meyer of Hudson, WI, Thomas (Stacy) Tabatt of Little Falls, Jean (Kenneth) Otremba of Hastings, and Joyce (Eric) Ngoko of Cokato; 40 grandchildren and 40 great-grandchildren; brothers, Alfred Smith of Michigan and Jim Smith of Texas.

Joan was preceded in death by her parents; husband, Arnold Tabatt on August 24, 1994; grandson, Arnie Tabatt; and brothers, Alvis Smith and Harry Smith.

Serving as casket bearers will be Rob Tabatt, Jacob Otremba, John Otremba, Shaun Tabatt, Rick Tabatt, Alfred "Junior" Tabatt, Jonathan Tabatt, and Chris Bruflat. Cross bearer will be Jonathan Pelach and scripture bearer will be Jeremiah Tabatt. Gift bearers will be Ashley and Andrew Haberkorn. Mass server will be Tyler Tabatt. Lector will be Amanda Otremba and Emil Tabatt will give the eulogy. Honorary bearers will be Joan's grandchildren, Joe, Matthew, Jim, Arnold, Sheila, Marcy, Joan, Jerry, David, Michael, Brenda, Anita, Lisa, Nicole, Jeremy, Laura, Danielle, James, Jason, Tony, Janelle, Gena, Adam, Amanda, Justin, Nicholas, Tyrell, Tom, Dustin, Trevor, and Alisha.