Joan Rita Raisanen

June 12, 1939 – December 9, 2024
Joan Rita (LaPlant) Raisanen, age 85 of Buffalo, MN passed away peacefully on December 9, 2024 at Lake Ridge Care Center with family at her side.
She was born on June 12, 1939, the daughter of George and C. Mae (Holmberg) LaPlant and baptized at St Francis Xavier Catholic Church, where she was a lifelong member. Joan was first and foremost a woman of faith.
Joan grew up in Buffalo, MN with her parents (father George was Buffalo's Chief of Police) 4 sisters and 2 brothers. She attended St Francis Xavier Catholic School and Buffalo High School.
While she attended school and after finishing school, she worked at several jobs including cleaning homes, Wonderalls, and Tonka Toys.
She married John "Jack" Raisanen on February 24, 1962. They were blessed with nine children raised primarily in Buffalo, MN. They were married 21 years before Jack passed away from cancer in 1983. Joan returned to the workforce after Jack's passing. She worked at The Glenn in Buffalo MN as a dietary aide for 26 years and retired in 2010. She was a hard worker, very meticulous in her job duties and was well loved by residents and staff alike. She often volunteered there after retiring at age 71.
In 2013, Joan was diagnosed with ovarian cancer and given a grim prognosis. She proved to be a warrior up for the literal fight of her life. Joan's last decade of life was marked by several highs and lows often battling through medical setbacks but time and again, she prevailed. Her fight gave those who loved her the tremendous "gift" of additional time with this remarkable woman.
Joan loved dancing, music, animals, decorating for special occasions and at the cemetery–there was no such thing as "too many" decorations, gnomes, thrifting, socializing-completing regular rounds to McDonald's, Culver's, Wise Penny Thrift Store, garage sales and the laundromat. She was always up for an adventure, as long as it was within 25 miles of Buffalo.
Above all, Joan always had time for anyone, especially her children, grandchildren, and great-grandchildren. Joan, unconditionally, unselfishly loved her children and supported them all her life through the many highs and difficulties of their lives and her own life. Joan was the strongest and kindest woman her family knew.
She is survived by her children Rachel Raisanen of Edina, MN, Glen Raisanen of Buffalo, MN, Jill Raisanen of Buffalo, MN, Gale Raisanen of Buffalo, MN, Ava Raisanen of Hayes, VA, John (Jennifer) Raisanen of Buffalo, MN, David (Renee) Raisanen of Albertville, MN, Nila (Brian) Bursheim of Buffalo, MN, grandchildren John Raisanen, Rita (Jesse) Young, Erin Raisanen, Jacob Smith, Breanda (Sutton) Nealy, Lydia, Niklas, Ben and Julia Raisanen, siblings Yvonne Degrar of Cloquet, MN, and Kay Bastin of Delano, MN, 3 great-grandchildren, nieces, nephews, other relatives and friends, and her beloved dog, Penny.
She is preceded in death by her parents, husband, son Patrick Raisanen, siblings Marlys Barbeau, Lois Price, Mark LaPlant, Basil LaPlant, and Stanley LaPlant plus several brothers-in-law and sisters-in-law.
On behalf of the Raisanen Family, a special thank you to all the nursing home staff at Lake Ridge Care Center for the kindness, loving care and friendship so freely given to Joan.
A Mass of Christian Burial for Joan Raisanen will be held on Friday, December 13, 2024, at 11:00 AM at St. Francis Xavier Catholic Church in Buffalo, MN, with visitation 2 hours prior to the service at the church.
Interment at St. Francis Xavier Cemetery in Buffalo, MN
Casket Bearers will be John Raisanen, Jacob Smith, Malikai DeGroat, Virgil LaPlant, Chuck Wiczek, and Rita Young. Honorary casket bearers are all Joan's grandchildren and great-grandchildren.
In lieu of flowers, memorials to the family are preferred, or donations to Crossroads Animal Shelter or MOCA (MN Ovarian Cancer Alliance).
The Peterson Chapel, Buffalo, MN assisted the family with arrangements. Online condolences may be made to