Joan M. Quinn

Published June 08, 2021 at 4:14 PM

Joan Quinn, age 72, of Spicer, died Saturday, April 18, 2020, at Carris Health Rice Therapy Suites in Willmar.

Her memorial service will be 11:00 a.m. Tuesday, July 20, 2021 at the Church of St. Mary in Willmar with visitation one hour prior to the service at the church. The service will also be live-streamed on the church website https://www.ourlivingwater.org/. A private interment will be held at St. Bridget’s Catholic Cemetery in De Graff. Arrangements are with Harvey Anderson Funeral Home in Willmar. Memorial donations may be made directly to a charity of your choice. The family invites you to show small acts of kindness toward others in Joan’s memory.

Joan Marie Quinn was born October 31, 1947, in Minot, North Dakota, the daughter of John and LaDonna (Bollum) Adkins. Joan’s family moved to Breckenridge, Minnesota, where she grew up and developed lifelong friendships. Joan was baptized and confirmed at St. Mary’s Catholic Church in Breckenridge and attended elementary school at St. Mary’s Catholic School. She graduated from Breckenridge High School in 1965 and from Moorhead State University in 1969. On May 31, 1969, Joan married Kevin Quinn at St. Mary’s Catholic Church in Breckenridge and they made their home in Benson. They moved to Willmar in 1985, and to Spicer in 2001.

A career educator, Joan taught English at Benson High School from 1969 to 1971 and from 1980 to 1985, with time off in between to raise their children. In 1985 Joan returned to school at Saint Cloud State University to obtain a Master’s degree, and at the same time accepted the position of English and Mass Communications instructor at Willmar Community College (later Ridgewater College), where she was an early adopter of online education and served as the advisor for the Ridgewater student newspaper, spending many late evenings with her students to meet press deadlines. Joan retired from Ridgewater College in 2008.

Joan was civic-minded and an advocate for equality. In addition to being a member of the Church of St. Mary in Willmar, she served on the Board of Directors for the United Way of West Central Minnesota and was involved in the League of Women Voters. She deeply valued the friendships made and conversations had through participation in bridge clubs, book clubs, and Round Table Study Group. Always active, she was fond of bowling, golfing, traveling, and spending time with close friends.

Joan was happiest at the lake, where she found great pleasure in taking care of her flower gardens, enjoying evening pontoon rides, and most of all hosting family and friends for meals, holidays and gatherings. Joan adored her grandchildren and enthusiastically attended their sporting events and activities, donned in school colors and out-cheering everyone.

Joan is survived by her husband, Kevin of Spicer; her children: Cara Quinn (and Stefano Follega) of Minneapolis, MN, Mick (and Chloe) Quinn of Willmar, MN, and Ryan Quinn of New York, NY; six grandchildren: Sean and Luca Follega, Avery, Hannah, Sophia, and Tommy Quinn; a brother: David Adkins of Sioux Falls, SD; and several nieces and nephews.

She was preceded in death by her parents; a sister: Marsha Adkins; and two brothers: Dennis and Richard Adkins.