Joan Coyle

Memorial services for Joan Coyle of Starbuck, formerly of Alexandria, Minnesota, will be held Wednesday, December 28, 2022 at 11:00 a.m. at St. Paul's Lutheran Church in Lowry, Minnesota, with Reverend Brian Taffe officiating.  Visitation will be one hour prior to the service at the church.  Burial will be held at a later date at Lamberton Cemetery in Lamberton, Minnesota.

Joan Ramona Bittner, daughter of Gordon and Agatha (Dallmann) Bittner, was born on a farm in rural Wanda, Minnesota.  She was baptized and confirmed at Wanda Evangelical Lutheran Church.  Joan grew up on a farm near Lamberton where she attended school, graduating from Lamberton High School in 1957. She was united in marriage to Richard Coyle on February 8, 1958.  The couple moved to St. Paul where they began their family.  Later they lived in Worthington where Joan worked for the State of Minnesota Employment Office, before relocating to New Ulm.  While living in New Ulm, Joan and Richard owned and operated the New Ulm Sewing Center.  The couple later settled on Lake Charlie near Alexandria, where Richard drove bus and Joan served as a bus para for many years.  Most recently, Joan and Richard resided in Starbuck.

Joan belonged to numerous bible studies and quilting groups.  She enjoyed sewing, quilting, gardening, baking, scrabble, puzzles and crossword puzzles.  Joan loved Christmas and was known for her decorations and holiday rituals.  She was also known for her gingerbread cookies, which she would bake all year round.  Joan loved her family, especially playing with her grandkids.  She always had a fun activity planned for them and sewed many doll and barbie doll clothes over the years. 

Joan passed away Sunday, December 18, 2022 at Holly Ridge in Starbuck.  She was 83 years old.

She is survived by her husband: Richard Coyle of Starbuck; three children: Scott (Alyce) Coyle of Eau Claire, WI, Jennifer (Chris) Lund of Cyrus and Gretchen (Will) Campbell of Waconia; nine grandchildren: Aaron (Kari) Lund, Justin (Maddie) Lund, Nathan (Jodee) Lund, Angie (Ben) Coyle, Michael Coyle, Rebecca (Bryan) Rhode, Evan Campbell, Madeline Campbell and Amelia Campbell; seven great-grandchildren: Beckett Lund, Callie Lund, Elliot Lund, Kinley Lund, Chloe Lund, Arlo Rhode and Della Rhode.  She was preceded in death by her infant son: Michael Coyle; her parents; two sisters: Joyce Graff and Bonnie Henkel and one brother: Glen Bittner.