Joan Fransman was born on March 21, 1930, to John and Jennie (Kuiper) Top in Clinton Township of Rock County, Minnesota. She was raised on the farm on the state line and attended country school. Her dad passed away suddenly while she was young. A couple of years later, she and her family moved into Hills, Minnesota.
Joan later met Edward Fransman and on March 16, 1949, the couple was married at the Hills Christian Reformed Church in Hills. They made their home near Hills and began farming and raising their family together. She spent many years milking cows and feeding calves and had a strong work ethic which she instilled in her family.
Later on, Joan took medical training courses and became an RCNA, holding a position from 1965 until 2005 with the Tuff Memorial Home in Hills. Ed preceded her in death on March 21, 2000. She continued living on the farm until permanently moving into an apartment in town in 2017.
On Friday, Jan. 3, 2025, while at her home, Joan went to be with her Lord at the age of 94 years, 9 months and 13 days.
Joan was a member of Hills United Reformed Church in Hills, where she had served as a Sunday school teacher and was a part of Willing Workers. She was also a volunteer at the Christian School and Tuff Memorial Home. She enjoyed gardening, canning, and going to ball games. She loved spending time with her children and grandchildren and was proud of watching them and her great-grandchildren and great-great-grandchildren grow. Joan always remembered to start each day in the same way – with God, grace and gratitude.
Joan is lovingly survived by her four children, Edie Korthals of Rock Rapids, Iowa, Rod (Frieda) Fransman of Luverne, Minnesota, Alan (Deb) Fransman of Hills, and Harley (Jody) Fransman of Beaver Creek, Minnesota; 11 grandchildren; 26 great-grandchildren; two great-great-grandchildren; brother-in-law Clarence (Dorothy) Fransman; and other relatives and friends.
She was preceded in death by her husband, Ed; her parents, John and Jennie Top; and 11 loved siblings, along with many cherished in-laws.
Funeral service was held Wednesday, Jan. 8, at 10:30 a.m. at the Hills United Reformed Church in Hills. Burial followed at the Hills Christian Reformed Cemetery in Hills. Arrangements are under the care of Hartquist Funeral Home in Luverne.
Memorials are preferred to the Hills United Reformed Church or the Hills Christian School.
To sign an online registry, please visit www.hartquistfuneral.com.
