Joan Maureen Olson

Joan Maureen Olson age 78 of Lake Preston, South Dakota was ushered in to the presence of her Lord and Savior on Sunday, August 25, 2024. Funeral services will be held at 10:30 A.M. on Thursday, August 29, 2024 at Brookings First Assembly of God with Pastor Gerry Bass officiating. Isaiah Olson, David Olson, Jonathon Olson, Isaac Olson, Jerod Olson, Ryan Olson, Pete Famighetti and Andrew Olson, will serve as pallbearers. A time of visitation will be held from 5:00 P.M. until 7:00 P.M. at Johnson- Henry Funeral Chapel in Lake Preston, South Dakota on  Wednesday, August 28, 2024.The funeral service will be live streamed via our website.

Joan Maureen Cooper was born to Osroe and Edith Cooper on April 3, 1946 in East Alton, ILL.

The family moved to Canalou, Mo. where Joan attended elementary school, and then to Lutesville, Mo. where Joan graduated from Woodland High School in 1964. During this time her father farmed and her mother pastored the Assembly of God church. As a child, Joan learned to play the piano which she continued to play her entire life. After high school she attended Evangel College in Springfield, Mo. From 1964 -1966, and then attended Southwest Missouri State University from 1966 - 1968 where
she graduated with a Bachelor of Science Degree in 1968. After completing college, Joan moved back to Canalou, Mo. where she taught at the elementary school. Following her time there, she moved to St. Louis where she taught at Mt. Pleasant Elementary and attended night school at the University of Missouri where she graduated with her Masters in Education in 1972.

She married Ray Olson on August 19, 1972 at Trinity Tabernacle in St. Louis, Mo. Joan and Ray then moved to Charleston, SC where he was stationed on the submarine USS Silversides SSN679 and she taught 6th grade at Ladson Elementary. Joan and Ray moved to Lake Preston, S.D. in June of 1974, after Ray’s father died suddenly the previous March, to continue the family farm.
Joan began teaching 5th grade in Erwin, S.D. that fall, and later in Lake Preston where she taught 6th grade, Title 1, and was Elementary Principal for the final years at Lake Preston Elementary. From 1974 until 2010 Joan poured her heart and soul into the education system and after a total of thirty seven and a half years, she retired in 2010. Following retirement Joan dedicated herself to her grandkids; her church, where she served in kid’s ministry and where she, along with her husband Ray, served as greeters; her landscaping; and her garden.

Joan is lovingly remembered by her husband, Ray Olson of Lake Preston, S.D.; two sons, Jeremy Olson (Brandi) of Lake Preston, S.D. & Jonathan Olson (Amanda) of Lake Benton, Minn; six grandchildren, Elijah Olson of Sioux Falls, S.D., Christa Sievers of Boulder, Colo., Jonathon Olson of Ellendale, N.D., Isaac Olson of Lake Preston, S.D., Isaiah Olson of Lake Benton, Minn, David Olson of Lake Benton, Minn, brother, Stan Cooper of Lloch Lloyd, Mo.

Joan was preceded in death by her parents, Osroe and Edith Cooper.

In lieu of flowers a memorial has been established.

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