Joan Zeman

Joan E. Zeman, 66, of Detroit Lakes, MN went to be with her Heavenly Father on Wednesday, January 2, 2013. She died at her home, where she most loved to be. She courageously fought her battle with brain cancer for the past eight months; showing class and grace every step of the way. Joan Elaine Pederson was born on November 13, 1946 in Devils Lake, North Dakota to Melvin and Betty Pederson. She lived in Penn, ND where she attended the Grand Harbor Country School. Her family then lived in Grand Forks, ND until they moved to Minot, ND during her sophomore year of high school. She graduated from Minot High School in 1964. She received a B.A. in English Education from Minot State College in 1968 and in 1976 she completed her special education degree at Moorhead State University. On October 5, 1968 Joan married her best friend, Ron Zeman, at Augustana Lutheran Church in Minot, ND. Together they lived in Griffith, Indiana and Fargo, ND before making their home in Detroit Lakes, MN in 1970. The happiest years of Joanchr(39)s life were when her three girls were young and she stayed home to raise them. She loved being a homemaker and was known as being an excellent cook. Joan enjoyed growing beautiful flowers in her gardens and reading a good book. She loved taking care of her family, who were her pride and joy. Throughout her life Joan had a variety of jobs including a summer internship at Boeing in Seattle, WA and being a receptionist for Lake Region Clinic, Dr. Tom Olsonchr(39)s Dental Clinic and Pelican River Optical, all of Detroit Lakes. She loved making a difference in the lives of young people. Joan taught English for the DL Technical College and for the past 21 years she taught special education for the Detroit Lakes Public Schools. Joan was a soft spoken, kind, and caring person to all she met. She had a strong faith and lived it daily. In her spare time she loved to spend time with her family and friends. Her six grandchildren brought her much joy! Throughout the years she traveled extensively with her family. She enjoyed many trips throughout the United States, Europe and Asia. Joan will be missed by her loving husband of 44 years, Ronald L. Zeman, of Detroit Lakes; daughters, Jennifer (Kevin) Reker of St. Cloud, MN, Kelly Zeman of Frazee, MN, and Betsy Zeman of Plymouth, MN; grandchildren, Connor, Alex, and Gabrielle Splonskowski and Benjamin, Amelia, and Matthew Reker; sister, Vickie L. Kennedy of Frisco, TX and father Melvin (Gena) Pederson of Minot, ND. Joan was greeted in Heaven by her mother, Betty (Dressen) Pederson; her twin infant sons, Nathan and Joshua Zeman and her grandparents, Herman and Matilda Dressen and Paul and Marie Pederson. We wish to thank everyone for helping Joan with her battle with cancer. We appreciate all the visits to Rochester, the many get well cards, the phone calls to Joan, the care givers who came to see her at home and all the food. The Zeman Family has been so blessed to have great friends, family and a community like Detroit Lakes to live in. In lieu of flowers memorials to The Hope Lodge of Rochester, MN or Trinity Lutheran Church Development Fund of Detroit Lakes, MN are preferred.