Joan Flood

FLOOD

Joan

Age 91 of Minneapolis

Passed away peacefully on May 27, 2022. She is survived by her children, Patrick, James (Sylvia), Thomas (Laurie), Mary Flood-Maneely (Timothy Maneely), Paul (Lynn DeVore), Kathleen; grandchildren, Robert (Jessica), Kristin (Rashad) Elliott, Megan (Pat) Elwell, Bill Tott, Mark, Sarah, Alexander, Brianna DeVore, Lindsay Fox, Kieran Maneely, Benjamin Skinner, Maxwell Skinner, Henry Skinner, Jesse (Rebecca) Turner, Lisa Turner; great-grandchildren, Sadie and Lucy Flood, Rashad, Elijah and Xavier Elliott, Raymond Elwell, Sophia, Francesca and Gabriella Turner, Logan Olsen, Ashley Watson; sister-in-law Audrey Shuler, many nieces, nephews and friends. She was preceded in death by her parents, Wilcott and Frances; husband, Raymond; son, Michael, brother, William.

Joan was a lifelong learner and prolific reader. She was forever broadening her horizons, whether studying art, history, genealogy, philosophy, astrophysics or learning to cook dishes from different cultures. She loved to garden and installed an early rain garden after researching their benefits. To her family, she was a living example of the importance of education, earning her bachelor’s degree and then a master’s degree while her children were still young. She and Raymond had only been married 4 months when Raymond was called to serve in the Korea war. Raymond’s mother, Hazel, a professor at Mankato State University, encouraged Joan to come to Mankato and work on her college degree while Raymond was overseas. She got 1-1/2 years of her degree completed before Raymond was discharged. After starting their family, Hazel encouraged Joan to bring the children from Kansas to Mankato when possible so she or her mother could watch the children while Joan went to school and studied. It took her 10 more years of perseverance until she graduated with her undergraduate degree.

In 1967, Joan and Raymond moved the family to Minneapolis. Joan became a beloved teacher and professor working at Benilde-St Margaret’s High School, Kellogg High School, Blaine Senior High School, Anoka Technical Vocational Institute, St. Paul Technical Vocational Institute (now St. Paul Technical college), and the University of Minnesota. She was an early-adopter teaching herself about computers and seeking out training so she could develop new curriculum her students would need. She advocated for her students and mentored younger colleagues, making lifelong friendships with many.

Joan was an involved parent and attentive grandparent who loved to laugh and was unfailingly hospitable. All were welcome in Joan’s house, where she had a ready ear and open heart, and was happy to feed anyone who stopped by. She will be dearly missed by all who knew her.

A memorial service will be at 11:00am on Sunday, June 19, with visitation one hour prior, and luncheon following. The service will be recorded and will be available to be viewed on this page in the near future. In lieu of flowers, memorials preferred to the Hazel Flood Scholarship Fund, Minnesota State University, Mankato, MN http://engage.mnsu.edu/joan