Joan Caryl Lynch

Joan Lynch, 84, of Clear Lake, SD passed away peacefully at The Village of Harmony Hill on August 15, 2025. There will be a private service for her family at a later date. Burial will be at Lakeview Cemetery in Clear Lake. Houseman Funeral Home has been entrusted with the arrangements.

Joan Caryl Ulven was born on July 19,1941 to George and Meryl (Mills) Ulven in Clear Lake, South Dakota. She was baptized in the Congregational Church. She attended grade schools in Clear Lake, Rosyln, and Gary, SD. She graduated from high school in Clear Lake, SD.

On July 27, 1958 she was united in marriage to Dale Hoftiezer. From that marriage they had one daughter, Anita.

After living in Clear Lake for five years, they moved to Madison, SD for a few years where Joan attended college graduating with an associate's degree in 1965 before moving back to Clear Lake, SD. Joan went on to receive a bachelor's degree in education in 1972. She graduated with honors, Summa cum laude.

Joan taught in the school systems of Deubrook and Deuel, the latter of which she retired from teaching in 1999 after 33 years. She belonged to many professional organizations during her teaching career.

Joan loved to fly and travel. She was especially fond of a long European vacation she took with her sister Joyce.

Joan is survived by her one daughter Anita (Lon) Whitinger of Clear Lake, SD; two grandchildren, Jerad (Amanda) Goens of Clear Lake, SD and Jordan (Troy) Goens of Sioux Falls, SD; Four great-grandchildren, Sara Karpen, Jennie, Jack and Jase Goens; one sister Joyce (Stan) Cook of Clear Lake, SD; and one sister-in-law Joyce Ulven.

She was preceded in death by her parents George and Meryl, brother Lynn Ulven, and one grandchild, Erin Maree Goens.

The family would like to thank the staff at The Village of Harmony Hill and Prairie Lakes Hospice as well as a big thank you to Clarice Beynon for bringing a little sunshine to her life.