Joan Hellevik

Joan M. Hellevik, age 81 of Faribault, MN passed away on Saturday, April 26, 2025 at the Benedictine Living Community in Owatonna, MN.

Joan Marie, the daughter of Anton and Bernice (Wilson) Spinler, was born on April 16, 1944 in Owatonna, MN and raised on the family farm in Merton. Joan attended Owatonna High School and graduated with the class of 1962. After high school Joan worked as a nursing assistant at the Owatonna Hospital. During this time she met her future husband, Lowell Hellevik Jr. on a blind date at the Steele County Free Fair and they were united in marriage on January 16, 1965 at Christ the King Catholic Church in Medford, MN. Lowell preceded her in death on June 13, 2024. As their family was growing, Joan stayed at home to take care of their children. When the children were older, she started working for Rice County Public Health as a Home Health Aide until her retirement. Joan loved to work outside and help on the family farm. She enjoyed working on her flowers, raising her chickens, selling the eggs and caring for their cats, Muffins and Sarah. Joan also enjoyed crafting, doing word finds and jigsaw puzzles, playing cards, family bingo, games during the holidays and listening to polka music. She was a member of the Catholic Daughters and the Christ the King CCW.

Joan is survived by her children, Brian (Amy) Hellevik and their children, Justin (Anna), Emma (Marcus) Oyloe, and Jacob (fiancé, Keera); Jeff (Lisa) Hellevik and their children, Tanner (fiancé, Hannah Higgins) and Carter; Melissa Hellevik-Ramos (Isidro) and their children, Rebecca, Madison, Benjamin and Miranda; Jeremy (Simona) Hellevik and their son Dwight; and Wesley Hellevik; by three great grandchildren, Caleb, Parker and Nora Hellevik; siblings, Delores Fisher and Larry Spinler; sister-in-law, Linda Hellevik; brother-in-law, Larry Wencl and by nieces, nephews and other relatives and friends.

She was preceded in death by her parents, husband, sisters, Darlene Liverseed and Phyllis Wencl and brother, Donald Spinler.

Mass of Christian Burial will be held on Tuesday, May 6, 2025 at 11:00 a.m. at Christ the King Catholic Church in Medford, MN with Fr. Joe Pete officiating. Interment will be held at the Resurrection Cemetery in Medford.

Visitation will be held at the church on Tuesday from 9:00 a.m. to 11:00 a.m. The Catholic Daughters will recite the Rosary at 10:00 a.m. on Monday morning at the church.

Special thanks to the staff at Benedictine Living Community, Ecumen Countryside Assisted Living, Allina Heart Institute and Allina Hospice for the wonderful care that was given to our mother, Joan.