Joan Blegen

Joan Blegen, age 77 of Spring Valley, died Monday, September 10, 2012 at the River Falls Area Hospital.
Funeral service will be Thursday, September 13, 2012 11:00 a.m. at Rush River Lutheran Church, rural River Falls with Rev. Kari Burke-Romarheim officiating.  Burial will be in the Martell Lutheran Cemetery, Martell Township, Wisconsin.
Visitation for Joan will from 5-8 p.m. on Wednesday, September 12, 2012 at Keehr Funeral Home, Spring Valley and one hour prior to the service at the church on Thursday.
Keehr Funeral Home, (www.keehrfuneralhome.com), Spring Valley, is handling arrangements.

Joan was born April 8, 1935, the daughter of Arthur and Lascene (North) Firlus at Mauston, Wisconsin.  She was baptized and confirmed at St. Paul's Church in Mauston.  Joan grew up there and graduated from Mauston High School in 1953.
On June 24, 1954 Joan married Elroy 'Buster' Blegen at Decorah, Iowa.  They lived in Mauston until 1960 when they moved to Martell, Wisconsin.  Joan was a longtime member of Rush River Lutheran Church, rural River Falls.  She worked at Fabritec at Baldwin and loved to read.
Preceding her in death were her parents; her husband Elroy; and 2 brothers Dennis Firlus and Frank Bashaw.
Survivors include 2 sons and 1 daughter: Tim (Judi) Blegen of Spring Valley; Chris (Julie) Blegen of Wilson; and Sheri Cain of River Falls; brother Bruce (Ann) Firlus of Rockton, Illinois; sister Gail (Rodney) Smethurst of Milwaukee; 2 sisters-in-law: Alice Hurtgen of Spring Valley; Eloise Adank of Winona, Minnesota; many other relatives and friends.
Memorial funeral service was on Thursday, September 13, 2012 at 11 a.m. at Rush River Lutheran Church with Rev. Kari Burke-Romarheim officiating.  Organist was Linda Anderson and vocalists were Judi Blegen and Erin Blegen.   Visitation was on Wednesday, September 12 from 5 until 8 p.m. at Keehr Funeral Home, Spring Valley and also at church Thursday for one hour prior to the service.  Burial was in Martell Lutheran Cemetery, Martell Township, Wisconsin.
Keehr Funeral Home (www.keehrfuneralhome.com) in Spring Valley is assisting the family with arrangements.