Joan M. Gerads

1961 - 2025

Joan M. Gerads, 64, of St. Francis, passed away unexpectedly from a brain aneurysm July 31, 2025, at the St. Cloud Hospital in St. Cloud.
A Mass of Christian Burial will be at 11 a.m. Friday, Aug. 8, at St. Francis of Assisi Catholic Church in St. Francis with the Rev. Jimmy Joseph officiating. Interment will be in the parish cemetery. Visitation will be 4-7 p.m. Thursday, Aug. 7, and 10-10:45 a.m. Aug. 8 at St. Francis of Assisi Catholic Church in St. Francis.
Joan Marie Renneker was born Jan. 26, 1961, in Melrose, Minnesota, to Alcuin and Loretta (Dullinger) Renneker. She graduated from Melrose High School in 1980. She was united in marriage to Michael "Mike" Gerads Aug. 22, 1981, at St. Mary's Catholic Church in Melrose. Joan enjoyed working with the elderly as a caregiver at area nursing homes including Albany, Upsala, St. Cloud and most recently in Little Falls.
She was a member of St. Francis of Assisi Catholic Church in St. Francis.
Joan enjoyed birdwatching, flower gardening, bowling and was obsessed with Christmas. The Christmas tree is up and lit year-round, and the Christmas music never stops at Joan's house.
Survivors include her husband, Mike Gerads, of St. Francis; children Denise Gerads (Brian Abraham) of Upsala, Diane Gerads of Upsala, Deanna Gerads of Aliceville, Alabama, Frank (Alley) Gerads of St. Francis, Michael Jr. (Harley) Gerads of St. Francis, Alison (Andrew) Kulla of Bowlus and William Gerads of Grey Eagle; 11 grandchildren; and sisters Julie (Jerry) Gerads of Melrose, Jean Kidrowski of Willmar, Jeanette (Tom) Gerads of Freeport, Jill (Ray) Kurowski of Long Prairie, Janice (Dave) Guse of Holdingford and Jodi Johnson of Long Prairie.
Joan was preceded in death by her parents, Alcuin Renneker April 9, 2018, and Loretta Renneker Feb. 15, 2022; brother Jim Renneker May 1, 2018; infant sons Clemens, Mark and Matthew; and an infant sister Mary Renneker.
Arrangements were made with Patton-Schad Funeral & Cremation Services in Melrose.