Joan Ann Gockel

Joan Ann Gockel, age 83, of St. Peter, died on Wednesday, December 31, 2014 at Mayo Clinic Health System - Mankato. Mass of Christian Burial will be held at 10:30 a.m. on Saturday, January 3, 2015 at the Church of St. Peter Catholic Church with Fr. Todd Peterson, officiating. Burial will be in Calvary Cemetery, St. Peter. Visitation will be held one hour prior to the service at the church on Saturday. Memorials may be given to the Church of St. Peter or the donor's choice. St. Peter Funeral Home assisted the family with the arrangements. Joan was born March 22, 1931 to Reynold and Minnie (Vandemore) Tuynman in Winfred, SD. She graduated from General Beatle High School and attended General Beatle College in Madison, SD. She then attended South Dakota State University in Brookings where she received her Bachelor's degree in Home Economics and Iowa State University in Ames, IA, where she received her Master's degree in Nutrition. On August 13, 1960, Joan was united in marriage to Jim Gockel at St. Thomas Catholic Church, Madison, SD. Joan taught school in Sutherland, IA, was a substitute teacher, a realtor, and worked as a Nutritionist for the State of Minnesota. She was a member of the Church of St. Peter and the Catholic Daughters. She enjoyed gardening, sewing, quilting, painting, and spending time with her family. Joan is survived by her children: Richard Gockel and Nancy (Scott) King; two grandchildren: McKenna and Lucas King; sister, Marie Martin and several nieces, nephews, and friends. Joan was preceded in death by her parents; husband, Jim on July 19, 2013; two brothers, Garret and Bill and two sisters, Rose and Geraldine.