Joan Ruth Rathbun

Joan Ruth Rathbun, born on Jan. 3, 1933, in Hot Springs, South Dakota, passed away on Nov. 4, 2024, in Golden Valley at the age of 91.

She is survived by her daughters, Kathy Mellstrom (Mark) and Nancy Bowman (Paul Jeddeloh), and five grandchildren: Sarah Mellstrom, Becca Mellstrom, Daniel Mellstrom (Gabrielle Sacha), Ted Jeddeloh, and Georgia Jeddeloh.

Joan was preceded in death by her first husband, Bob Bowman; her daughter, Laurie Bowman; and her second husband, Bill Rathbun.

She graduated from Nebraska Wesleyan University and taught elementary school for two years before marrying Bob Bowman, a high school math teacher, in 1955. The couple lived and raised their children in Bloomington.

Joan loved square dancing, music, theater, games, hiking, and world travel. She was active in the League of Women Voters, the Association for Retarded Citizens, the University of Minnesota Women’s Club, and her church choir. After Bob died in 1976, she taught in special education for several years. In 1986, she married Bill Rathbun, a researcher in ophthalmology, who died in 1997.

A memorial service is planned for 11 a.m. Saturday, Dec. 21, at Normandale Hylands Methodist Church, 9920 Normandale Blvd. S., Bloomington. Lunch will be shared after the service.