Joan K. Truax

Joan K. Truax, age 78 of Faribault, MN passed away on Saturday, November 1, 2025 at her home on Fox Lake.

Joan Katherine, the daughter of Richard and Nileen (Steffen) Horstmann was born on October 1, 1947 in Minneapolis, MN. She attended Edina High School and graduated with the class of 1965. Following high school she attended St. Olaf College. Joan worked at The Grand and The Tavern of Northfield for several years. Most recently she was the co-owner of Truax & Associates in Faribault. Joan coached soccer for the Rock Run Express, a soccer club in Rockford, IL cofounded by John Truax. She also coached soccer for the Northfield Middle School and spent countless hours cheering on her children and grandchildren from the sidelines.

Joan looked up to her father who taught her how to build and fix things. She carried his spirit on and spent her life teaching her children and grandchildren carpentry, how to change the oil or brakes, hunting rocks, cleaning, art, sewing, plumbing, tiling and even how to tread water and “float” in the lake. She put her heart and soul into building a home for her family and could always be found using her circular saw in her wood shop or pouring the concrete footings for the near 110 feet of stairs to the lake. If you hear the sounds of a nail gun, that’s where mom is.

Joan was witty and tenacious. She always made everyone laugh and would spend hours telling stories about her adventures in parenting and being a “gramma.” What happened at grammas, stays at grammas. She was our confidant, our voice of reason, and the sun in our family galaxy.

She is survived by children, Kristen (Jeff) Langmeier of Faribault, MN, Jason (Kim) Truax of Faribault, MN, Max (Amber) Truax of Glenview, IL and Suzannah (Haven) Boysen of Northfield, MN; by ten grandchildren, Max (Erica Lopez) Truax, Jack (Selina) Truax, Hannah Plath, Dylan (Becca) Plath, Eli Langmeier, Haven John Boysen, Leah Boysen, Axel Truax, Harrison Truax and Emersyn Truax; by six great grandchildren; by her siblings, Paul (Kristi) Horstmann of Albuquerque, NM and Ruth Schmoll of Edina, MN and by other relatives and friends.

She was preceded in death by her parents, Richard and Nileen Horstmann, brother-in-law, Rick Schmoll and dear friend, Kay Tucci.

A Celebration of Life open house will be held at Joan’s home, 13521 Fox Lake Trail, Faribault, MN on Saturday, November 15, 2025 from 1:00 to 5:00 p.m.

In lieu of flowers memorials are preferred to the family to help cover funeral expenses, donations can be made here.

Arrangements are being completed by the Parker Kohl Funeral Home & Crematory of Faribault.