Joan Adeline (Huebner) Aulich passed away early on Saturday, May 11, 2024, while Dick was holding her hand at May Creek Cottages, in Walker, MN. And the Northern Lights were dancing. She was born in South Saint Paul, MN, to Alfred and Olga Huebner on July 28, 1931.
Joan graduated from South Saint Paul High School and then attended the University of Minnesota where she received her certification in Dental Hygiene. She met her future spouse Richard “Dick” Aulich in kindergarten. After school Joan went to New York to work in the big town and Dick signed up for the Marine Corps. They both came back to SSP. One day Dick was waiting for the light to change at Concord and Grand and Joan walked across his field of view. He got her attention and the two exchanged pleasantries. The next evening Joan drove to Dick’s grandmothers house where he was staying, got out of the car, and pretended to be lost. Completely fooled, Dick came out to help, and they married a few months later, on May 21, 1955. They were very happy together; one might say this was a “match made in heaven.”
Joan had a strong faith in God that greatly impacted her life and that of her family. She enjoyed being a dental hygienist and made lot of friends and repeat customers through her competence and engaging personality while deftly wielding sharp instruments near tender tissues. She retired several times before retiring for good. Her cooking was always a big draw with Dick, her children, grandchildren, and other fortunate eaters. She had an artistic bent and enjoyed sketching portraits and flowers. As a volunteer, she read to the blind and taught English to new Americans, which led to a lifelong friendship with the Mlikota family from Croatia.
Joan was a gifted musician, playing both the piano and organ. She “kept busy with the ivories,” as she said, starting as a church organist at the age of 14. She played the organ wherever she and Dick lived in Minnesota and North Dakota for the next 70 years.
Joan is survived by her loving husband of 69 years, Dick; children, Beth (Robert) Larson of Brainerd, MN and Ted (Laurel) Aulich of Grand Forks, ND; son-in-law, Ray Pikarski; grandchildren, Adam, Aaron, Laura, Joanna, John, and Brendan; great-grandchildren, Brynn, Elsie, Vaida, and Aubrey; sister, Lois Ninnemann; brother, David (Corrine) Huebner; many nieces and nephews.
Those greeting Joan in Heaven are her parents, daughters, Amy and Ann; and sister, Diane.
A Celebration of Joan’s Life will be held on Thursday, May 30th, 2024, at 2:00 p.m., with a visitation one-hour prior to the service at 1:00 p.m., all to be held at Hope Lutheran Church of Walker, MN. Pastors Matthew McWaters and David Smith will officiate.
The family wishes to give a heartfelt Thanks to May Creek Edgewood Vista, Hope Lutheran Church, and St. Joseph’s Hospice for their excellent and devoted care of Joan and her family.
Joan’s care has been entrusted to Northern Peace Funeral Home of Walker, MN.