Joan Ardith Stanek died on Thursday, March 28, 2019, at Sacred Heart Assisted Living.

Joan Ardith McFarland was born Nov. 25, 1924, near Erskine, Minnesota, and blessed us with 94 wonderful years.

Her family moved to Austin, Minnesota, where she grew up, when she was two years old. After graduating from Austin High School, she went to work for the Geo. A. Hormel Co. in the finance department. She met Stanley (Bud) Stanek at a high school basketball game and they were married on Dec. 21, 1946. While together for 70 years, they traveled to Hawaii, Mexico, and throughout the United States by truck and camper. Joan also traveled throughout Scotland, Ireland, Greece, the Netherlands, New Zealand and Germany.  For 24 years, Joan and Bud were snowbirds, spending winters in Edinburg, Texas, with many friends. Not only was Joan a loving wife, mother of three children, and homemaker, she was a teacher’s aide for several years at Ellis Middle School, volunteered at school and church, and was an election judge. Joan and Bud were faithful members of the local Catholic churches. She was an accomplished bowler and passionate about her favorite pastimes: letter writing, reading and playing cards. After winning a game of Rummy with her son, she always had a chuckle and words of encouragement, “Better luck next time.” Family was everything to Joan.

Joan is survived by her children, Vaughn (Paula) Stanek of Los Altos, California, Mary (Bruce) Henry of Austin and Valerie (Ryan) Cameron of Milbank, South Dakota; five grandchildren, Ryan (Missy) Henry, Kelly Stanek, Kevin Stanek, Ellen (Tyler) Foster and Cole Cameron; two great-grandchildren, William and Finley Henry; sisters-in-law, Marion Stanek of New Castle, Colorado, and Martina Stanek of Mandan, North Dakota; as well as a multitude of nieces, nephews, and their families. Joan was preceded in death by her husband, Bud; her parents; her siblings; and the remainder of her in-laws

A celebration of life will be held at 10 a.m. on Saturday, May 11, 2019, at Mayer Funeral Home. Friends may call one hour prior to the service on Saturday at the funeral home. Interment will be in Cedar City Cemetery. Memorials are preferred to St. Augustine Catholic Church or Cedar City Cemetery. Condolences may be left online at www.mayerfh.com.