Joan Evelyn (Bauer) Hoheisel

Joan Evelyn (Bauer) Hoheisel, age 86, of Babbitt, MN passed away on Easter Sunday, April 5, 2026 at The Glenn of Buffalo Memory Care Facility after her long battle with Dementia. Joan was born on November 5, 1939, in Royalton, Minnesota to Leo and Cecilia (Karash) Bauer. She was raised on the family farm in Buckman and graduated from Pierz Memorial High School, Pierz, Minnesota.

Joanie was united in Holy Matrimony to her one and only Cliff Hoheisel on June 22, 1959 at St. Michael’s Catholic Church in Buckman. They made their home in Babbitt shortly after their marriage. God blessed them with four beautiful children-Mary, Paul, Patty and Bob.

She was a supportive wife, mother, grandmother, sister and friend. She enjoyed being outdoors, attending family members’ events and working in her flower gardens. She was a humble, hard-working and kind woman who would always rather give than receive. She was full of love, laughter, and kindness-a shining presence in everyone’s life that she touched. She enjoyed cooking-and boy was she good at it! She also loved fishing and playing card games-especially cribbage-which she had taught to play to all of her children and grandchildren.

Joan was employed as a dishwasher for the Babbitt public schools. She furthered her education in her mid-40s earning her Minnesota State Food License to become the school district’s Head Cook until her retirement at age 65.

Joan’s cherished Catholic faith was unwavering. She was an inspiration of faith and love to everyone who knew her. She also had a deep devotion to our Blessed Virgin Mary-saying a daily rosary for anyone in need. She was a long-time member of St. Pius X Catholic Church along with starting a Babbitt chapter of MCCL (Minnesota Citizens Concerned for Life) Minnesota’s largest pro-life organization. She worked to secure protection for innocent human life from conception until natural death. She organized many fundraising activities with bake sales, raffles and parade floats.

Joanie will live on through the fond memories and positive influences she made. Left to cherish her memory are her four children: Mary (Brian) Preusser of St. Cloud, Paul (Cathy Bissonette) Hoheisel of Babbitt, Patricia (Brad) Butkowski of St. Michael, Robert (Lynn Kegler) Hoheisel of Zimmerman. Eleven grandchildren, seventeen great­-grandchildren and numerous nieces, nephews and friends. Joan is preceded in death by her loving husband of 59 years, Clifford Hoheisel; parents- Leo and Cecelia Bauer; her six brothers David, Jack, Alan, Donald, Arnie, James Bauer and her only beloved sister Patricia (Bauer) Kinzer.

Family arrangements have been entrusted to Kerntz Funeral Home of Ely.

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