Joan Kay Gajewski

She grew up in Motley, MN and graduated from Motley Senior High School. She would go on to receive her B.A. in education from Bemidji College. She taught 2 years in The Red River Valley, followed by 8 years teaching Social Studies and English to Middle and High School students in Silver Bay, MN.

She married Ronald Gajewski on August 23, 1975. She then retired from teaching to have three children, seven foster children, and become an Avon Consultant. At different times over the years, she was involved in various Community Service activities and organizations: Two Harbors Youth Program, ADK Sorority, National and Diocesans Councils of Catholic Women, St. Raphael’s St. Theresa’s Circle, St Raphael’s youth program, Duluth Diocesans RCIA Program, Solway Fire Department Flamette’s Auxiliary, Solway Special Events Committee, Proctor Soccer Fields Committee, Munger PTA, and she was a Solway Citizen of the Year Award Winner.

Joan loved to travel and had visited 49 of the 50 states. She was an avid card player, reader, and movie buff. She was witty, generous, and had an amazing sense of humor. She made friends easily and loved spending time with her Duluth family of friends.

She was preceded in death by her son, Nathan Ronald Gajewski and another Angel baby, her parents, Verl and Violet White; step father, Floyd Briggs, step brother, David Briggs, brother-in-law, James Harrison; sister-in-law, LaVaune White; and mother and father-in-law, Mary and Walter Gajewski.

She is survived by her husband, Ronald Gajewski, son Jason Gajewski; daughter, Jennifer (Ryan) Lundberg; foster children, Mark Andres Sr. and Mike Lofdahl; grandchildren, Nicholas, Trystan, Priya, and Demitri Lundberg and Benjamin Gajewski; brother, Dairien White; sister, Sharon Harrison; brother-in-law, Walter B. Gajewski; step sister, Sandra (Kent) Kraft; step brother, Gary (Elaine) Briggs, step brother, Gene (Willma) Briggs and many loved nieces, nephews, and cousins.

A special thank you to the staff of St. Luke’s Hospital for all their care and support.

Visitation: 5-7 p.m. Wednesday, Nov. 16th in Bell Brothers Funeral Home, 601 N 56th Ave. W. in Duluth.

Mass of Christian Burial: 11 a.m. Thursday, Nov. 17th in St. Raphael’s Catholic Church, 5779 Seville Rd, Hermantown, with visitation 1 hour prior in the church. Interment will be in Calvary Cemetery in Duluth.

Please leave a memory of Joan or words of support for the family at www.bellbrothersfuneralhome.com.