Joan Marie Hargens (Maeckelbergh)

Passed away on May 15th, 2024, in Burnsville, Minnesota. Born to Gerard and Marie Maeckelbergh on June 19th, 1950, Joanie’s amazing life was full of adventure, laughter, and love.

Joan grew up in Duluth with her siblings Gerald, Ken, Patricia, and Michael. She was the youngest and was doted on as the baby of the family for the entirety of her life (our Aunt Pat would like us to insert the word spoiled here). As a child, Joanie was a light–she loved to dance, and was so cute that once an artist requested to make an oil-painting of her, which our family still has thanks to our Grandpa, who saw the painting of his daughter as he walked by a storefront in Duluth, and immediately went in to purchase it. As Joan grew up, she continued to prioritize “fun.” She loved to shop, go to parties, tan in the sun (aided by oil and aluminum foil), ride motorcycles, and drive boats full throttle with only her toes on the steering wheel.

In 1982, Joan Maeckelbergh met John Hargens and they spent the next 42 years together. In John, Joanie found total adoration, a companion who could absolutely crack her up, and a gentle, devoted caretaker. Together, they raised their daughters and built a beautiful life. Joan threw herself into homemaking and motherhood in the same way she did everything else: with tenacity and full of joy and love (except when it came to cooking–she hated it–and she never wanted us to forget that).

Joanie loved to spend time with her beloved dogs, take walks, marvel at flowers, listen to wind chimes, eat sweets, and be in the sun. She also loved to laugh; she had the best laugh. Most of all, she loved the people in her life. In the outpouring of heartfelt messages our family has received during this time, the constant theme is how loved and special Joanie made the people around her feel. She remained a light–from the beginning to the end, and she will continue to be a light for those who knew and loved her.

Preceded in death by her parents and her nephews, Mark and Andrew. Joanie’s memory is honored by her devoted husband, John; her children, Ashley and Meghan; her stepdaughter, Zahra and her husband, Adam; her grandchildren, Jyhad, Navarre, and Maximillian; her siblings, Gerald (Margaret), Ken, Patricia, and Michael; and a community of nieces, nephews, and friends.

Services to celebrate Joan’s life will be held at 11:00 a.m. on June 6, 2024, at Henry W. Anderson Mortuary, 14850 Garrett Ave., Apple Valley, with visitation one hour prior. A family burial will occur the following week at Fort Snelling National Cemetery.

Joan Marie Hargens–our grief is tremendous, but our love is bigger.