Dear Class of 1976:

This is a Deacon Alert to inform you of the passing of Joan Rheault on Sunday, Feb. 16th.

Joan was the mother of Mike Rheault ('76) and Rick Rheault.

Obituary:

Joan Marie (Nicolai) Rheault was born on September 1, 1932, to Alfred H. and Anne Maria (Hiltner) Nicolai in Milnor ND. She grew up on the family farm and went to country school then to Milnor Public School then finished her High School at the Boarding School in Graceville, MN. After High School Joan moved to Fargo, ND and started working in the banking industry. She started at Merchants National Bank in Fargo, ND then she moved over to First National Bank in Moorhead, MN. First National was then acquired by Norwest Bank which was then acquired by Wells Fargo Bank. Joan retired from Wells Fargo in 1989.

Joan married Norman Rheault on June 1, 1957, at St Joseph’s Catholic Church in Moorhead, MN. Their marriage was blessed with two sons, Michael William on May 3,1958 and Richard John April 19, 1960. They made their home on the north side of Fargo, ND where they attended St. Mary’s Cathedral Church. Joan was very active at St. Mary’s and with the Catholic Daughter’s. She was the Regent for the court for many years and also the treasurer. She was involved in just about every event at Church.

She loved to be outside tending her garden and flowers. Joan was an avid canner so she always had vegetables on hand and in quiet times loved to crochet. She also loved to fish, taking many trips up into Manitoba, Canada where she would always out fish Norman. After retirement Joan and Norman wintered in Mesa, AZ for over 20 years. They loved socializing down there and made many friends.

On Sunday February 16, 2025, Joan passed away from complications of pneumonia and RSV at Lake Region Hospital in Fergus Falls, MN.

Joan is survived by her son’s Mike of Fergus Falls, MN; Rick of Grafton, ND; grandchild Laura (Josh) Rogers of Mandan, ND; great-grandchildren, Dylan, Owen and Wyatt Rogers.

Preceding Joan in death were her Parents Alfred and Anne Nicolai; husband Norman Rheault; siblings Mary Ann (Larry) McCarten, Katherine (Fred) Wieser, Theresa (Bill) Schmitt, Al Nicolai, Bernard (Shirley) Nicolai; daughter-in-law Linda Rheault; infant granddaughter Leah Rheault.

Blessed be the Memory of Joan Rheault

Funeral Mass: 2:00 P.M. Monday, February 24, 2025 at Holy Spirit Catholic Church, Fargo with visitation starting at 1:00 P.M.

Burial: Holy Cross Cemetery South, Fargo.

Arrangements entrusted to the care of Boulger Funeral Home & Celebration of Life Center, Fargo. Online guestbook at www.boulgerfuneralhome.com.

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