Joan Wall

Joan Renee (Klein) Wall, age 48, of Melrose, Minnesota, entered Jesus’ embrace on Wednesday, May 25, 2022, shortly following a diagnosis of ovarian cancer.

A funeral service will be held at 10:30 a.m. Wednesday, June 1, at River of Life Church in Sauk Centre, Minnesota, with Rev. Kyle Peterson officiating. Inurnment will be later that day at St. Nicholas Cemetery, Rosholt, South Dakota.

Visitation will be from 4 to 7 p.m. Tuesday and from 9:30 to 10:15 a.m. Wednesday at the church.

Joan was born to Elroy and Patsy Klein on September 10, 1973, in Wheaton, Minnesota. She attended Rosholt Elementary and High School, graduating in 1991. Joan continued her education at the University of South Dakota graduating with an accounting degree in 1995. She worked briefly in Rock Rapids, Iowa, and then Sioux Falls, South Dakota.

On November 22, 2003, Joan married Mitchell “Mitch” Wall, the love of her life. They moved to Springfield, Missouri, in 2005 where she worked at Central Bible College while Mitch also worked and attended school there. After Mitch earned his degree, they moved to Melrose in 2011 to pastor Harvest Church in Freeport, Minnesota. Joan worked for the Minnesota District of Assemblies of God and the City of Freeport.

Joan’s biggest joy was her relationship with Jesus. Reading and journaling were passions of hers, and you could see the Holy Spirit well up within her whenever she talked about her faith. She found deep satisfaction in discipling others, especially those who were curious and wanted to grow deeper in their faith. Joan was authentic - able to hold a standard of truth and excellence while still being compassionate and honest about difficulties. Never seeking to be the center of attention, she still was willing to boldly step outside of her comfort zone to minister to and bless others. If you needed a listening ear or a word of encouragement, she was one you would call.

Joan had many interests. She was an excellent marksman who could outshoot her husband. She had an eye for beauty and was always found behind the camera capturing loved ones, their beloved dogs, and nature. She enjoyed the outdoors and would fondly recall camping and family vacations along with cherished memories growing up on the farm. Joan also loved motorcycle rides with her husband, visiting Japanese gardens, or simply sitting and listening to the peaceful sound of water. A beloved aunt, she was wonderful about engaging with her nephews and niece. She also loved horses; taking riding lessons and working with horse therapy classes in Springfield.

Other interests and favorites included NASCAR, The Big Bang Theory TV show, New Kids on the Block Christmas album, Peyton Manning, Rush Limbaugh, sunshine, daisies, sunflowers, and the color yellow.

Those she leaves behind are her husband, Mitchell; her parents, Elroy and Patsy Klein; brother, Mathew (Nadia) Klein; sister, Sarah (Justin) Wolfswinkel and their sons, Griffin and Hudson; parents-in-law, James and Bonnie Wall; brother-in-law, Brian (Michelle) Wall and their children, Isaiah, Ella, and Caleb; and numerous aunts, uncles, and cousins.

Those preceding her in death were her grandparents; uncles, Arthur Hoyt and Michael Wagner; aunt, Roxie Klein; and cousins, Pauline Theisen and Blain Brandenburger.