Joan Mayer

Joan Mayer, age 79, passed away Sunday night on July 28, 2024, at St. Mary's Hospital Rochester, MN. Joan was born October 20, 1944, in Luverne, MN, The daughter of Harvey and Ruby (Ellefson) Dibbern. She was raised with three siblings in Luverne and attended Luverne High School. She was united in marriage to Len Mayer on August 16, 1969, in Luverne, MN, and their union was blessed with four boys: Jon, Doug, Patrick, and Mark. Joan worked as a special education teacher for 44 years. Her first year was at Rushford. Then next 43 at Lewiston-Altura School, where she worked at all the different schools: Lewiston Elementary, Altura Elementary, and Lewiston-Altura High School.

Joan cherished her family; her other passions were teaching and flowers/gardening. Joan earned her Education degree and continued to follow her passion by earning her Master's in Education while raising four boys. Joan and Len traveled around the US on vacation with family and friends. If she and Len weren't home or at a family member's house helping out, they were camping. The love for camping started back in a pop-up camper, then progressed to a motor home. Every one of those campers had a snowman somewhere inside. 

Joan will always be remembered and missed by her family. Jon (Angie), Doug (Wendi), Patrick (Erica), and Mark (Annie); nine grandchildren; siblings Walter (Donna), Della (David), and Harlan (Renée); as well as many nieces, nephews, and other extended family.

Joan is preceded in death by her husband Len Mayer; parents Harvey and Ruby (Ellefson) Dibbern; nephew Kris Mulvihill; niece Shannon Dibbern.

Mass of Christian Burial for Joan will be held at 1:00 PM on Sunday, August 4, 2024, at St. Rose of Lima Catholic Church in Lewiston. Visitation for friends and family will be held from 5:00 to 9:00 PM on Saturday, August 3, 2024, at church, as well as one hour prior to the Mass on Sunday from 12:00 to 1:00 PM. Interment will be in the church cemetery.