Joan R. (Klein) Wall

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

A funeral service will be 10:30 a.m., Wednesday, June 1, at River of Life Church in Sauk Centre, with the Rev. Kyle Peterson officiating. Inurnment will be later that day at St. Nicholas Cemetery, Rosholt, South Dakota. Visitation was 4-7 p.m., May 31 and 9:30-10:15 a.m. June 1 at the church.

Joan was born to Elroy and Patsy Klein Sept. 10, 1973, in Wheaton. 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 Nov. 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. 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 the 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.

Arrangements were made with Patton-Schad Funeral & Cremation Services of Melrose. 

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