Johanna E. Koestler

Johanna E. Koestler, 89, a longtime Stewartville,MN resident died on Thursday (June 5, 2025) of natural causes at the Stewartville Care Center where she resided since 2021.

Johanna Elizabeth Collins was born August 23, 1935 in Orange, NJ to James and Elizabeth (Brezovsky) Collins. She grew up in East Orange, attended school there and graduated from East Orange H.S. in 1953. After her graduation she was employed in a law office in Newark, NJ. Joan met her husband Chuck, her final week of HS, when she was vacationing with friends in Ashbury Park, NJ on the Atlantic shore. Chuck was serving in the US Army at Fort Monmouth at that time. They began dating and continued a long distance relationship while he was serving in Korea. Following his discharge they were married on September 24, 1955 at Rose of Lima catholic Church in Newark, NJ. The couple moved to Minneapolis, MN where Joan was employed at ADT.  Their 1st child, Cathy was born there. They next moved to Faribault, MN where Brenda and Chuck were born. In 1960, Chuck was employed with the FAA in Rochester, MN and they moved to Stewartville, where they built a house in a great family neighborhood. Their last child Curt was born in Rochester. Joan spending time with family, and friends. She was very proud of her children, and was supportive of their endeavors. She loved being a homemaker. Joan was  active in her church, and taught catechism for many years while her health permitted. In later years, she volunteered to call people to work for events at the church. She enjoyed  reading, gardening, visiting with friends and neighbors and loved time spent with her family, especially her grandchildren and great grandchildren.

Johanna is survived by her husband – Chuck and 2 daughters and 2 sons – Cathy (Randy) Blake of Rochester; Brenda Biljan of Cottage Grove,MN; Chuck (Celeste) of St. Charles,MN and Curt of Silver Springs, NV; 10 grandchildren and 12 great grandchildren and many nieces and nephews. She was preceded in death by her parents and her sister – Betty Trybus. 

A Mass of Christian Burial will take place on Tuesday (June 10, 2025) at St. Bernard’s Catholic Church in Stewartville with Rev. Kevin Connolly officiating. Burial will follow at St. Bernards Cemetery. Memorials preferred to the Stewartville Care Center or the charity of your choice. Arrangements are with Griffin-Gray FH in Stewartville. Condolences and memories of Joan are welcome at www.griffin-gray.com

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