Obituary of Joan Evangeline Pepper

Joan Evangeline (Jordet) Pepper, age 93, long-time resident of Edina, died peacefully on September 4, 2024. Joan was born on June 26, 1931, the third of Orval and Eva Jordet's four children. She grew up in the Minneapolis Bryn Mawr neighborhood. Joan graduated from West High School and the University of Minnesota and became a second-grade teacher.

In 1953, she married Bill Pepper, beginning a 62-year partnership that endured until Bill's passing in 2015. After a brief stint in Willmar, they moved back to the Twin Cities in 1956, landing in Edina where they raised their three children. After the kids left the nest, Joan worked as a librarian assistant and a tutor to young children. She volunteered at the Courage Center through their estate sale program.

Joan was loved by all. She was a wonderful mother and grandmother, caring for her children and grandchildren in one way or another for 70 years. She was a devoted wife to Bill, especially as a caregiver during the challenging years of his journey with Alzheimer's. She was a kind friend to so many, always pleasant, always upbeat, and always a great conversationalist. Joan was unflappable and had a knack for making people laugh when she told stories.

Joan and Bill led an active life. They built a cabin on Antler Lake in Milltown, WI and enjoyed sharing their home with friends and family for 15 years. They loved to travel the world. They toured Europe several times. Joan loved the outdoors. She enjoyed her Sunfish sailboat on Lake Harriet in her 40s, played golf until she was 90, and walked the loop around Centennial Lakes daily, weather permitting, until the week before she passed. Joan was an avid bridge player. She also loved her daily puzzles: the crossword, Cryptoquip and Wordle.

Joan is survived by son Tom (Terri) and daughter Ann (Bob); brother Owen; nephew Matthew; granddaughters Laura (Jared), Lindsay (Matt) and Shannon; and great-granddaughter Mary. She is preceded in death by husband Bill; son Steve; sister Marilyn; brother Tom; and her parents.

A private service will be held at a later date.