Joan Aspelin, age 84, of Pierre and formerly of Wolsey, passed away Monday, December 4, 2023, in Pierre.

Her memorial service was held at 2:30 PM, Saturday, December 9th at the Kuhler Funeral Home. Burial followed in the Wolsey Cemetery. Her service was live-streamed.

View Joan's Folder

Visitation was held one hour prior to the service Saturday afternoon at the funeral home.

Joan Chandler, the daughter of Clarence and Blanche (Loats) Chandler, was born on October 28, 1939, in Balaton, Minnesota.  She attended school and graduated from Balaton High School. She continued her education at South Dakota State University, where she earned a bachelor's degree in Dietitian/Nutrition.

On September 5, 1959, Joan married her high school sweetheart, Jerry Aspelin at the Methodist Church in Balaton, Minnesota. Joan and Jerry made their home in the Huron and Wolsey area for many years.  Their house on Highway 281 was recognizable by the beautiful flowers and the horse that was painted on the barn.

Joan was an exceptional seamstress, and she used her talents at a dress shop she co-owned with Karen Fuerst. Joan made numerous wedding dresses including her daughter-in-law, Deb's dress. Later, she worked at the Huron Senior Center and was the Dietitian Director for the Violet Tschetter Memorial Home in Huron.

In 2013, Joan married F. E. Brown in Onida.  They enjoyed traveling and spending winters in Florida.

Joan had a great passion for gardening and cooking. Joan moved to Onida in 2020. It was her goal to have family over for a meal at least once a week. Her delicious cooking will be missed.

She was preceded in death by her parents; her first husband, Jerry, on December 1, 2001; her second husband, F. E. Brown, on March 2. 2020; and one brother, Lester (Betty) Chandler.

Grateful for having shared in Joan's life are her two sons, Brock (Jacqueline) Aspelin of Onida and Chad (Deb) Aspelin of Spearfish; six grandchildren, Tel Aspelin, Kira Aspelin, Chase Aspelin, Chandler Aspelin, Lexi Mey and Landon Aspelin; one brother, Marvin (Charlene) Chandler of Marshall, Minnesota; one sister-in-law, Jean Wendland of Alexandria, Minnesota; her very close friend, Karen Stoeckman of Olivia, Minnesota; and several nieces and nephews.

View Joan's Floral Arrangements