Joan Doll

Joan Doll passed away peacefully surrounded by her family on Wednesday, May 7, 2025, at 10:20am.

Services will be held at 11am on Tuesday, May 13, 2025 at the Staples Alliance Church with a visitation one hour prior. Interment will follow at Evergreen Hill Cemetery.

Joan (Joann) Plaisted Doll was born to Marcus and Myrtle Plaisted on July 25, 1937, in Long Prairie. She married Robert Doll in February 1956. Baby boy David (Dawn) was born on March 4, 1956. Their second child Debra (Doyle) Yoder was born on August 9, 1958. Their third child Kimberly Ann Gode was born on December 3, 1964.

Joan was a successful businesswoman that was learned from her parents. She spent her early years buying cattle with her dad, also working in their family-owned meat market and movie theater in Clarissa, Minnesota.

Joan was a devoted wife and mother during the time Bob worked as a brakeman fireman on the N.P. and BN Railroads. After 17 years, he took a one-year leave of absence to learn and experience the DQ business. In 1968 they moved to Hastings, then to Faribault to run family-owned stores. Joan and Bob purchased the Staples DQ in 1971. She received her 50-year service award with DQ and owned multiple businesses.

Joan was an avid card player. She loved pinochle, bridge, nickel nickel, 500 and Cribbage, making dear friends with everyone she met. She loved to travel and did many miles with her sister Marcia. She loved going to her niece Trudy’s house with Kathy Hoffman and to Fort Lauderdale with her sister Winnie’s family. Joan loved to fish and went to Canada as often as possible. Another passion was trips to Las Vegas, playing slots, blackjack and video poker.

Joan loved following her grandkids, great grandkids, and great-great grandkids sporting events. She was even voted “fan of the year” receiving a signed basketball which she displayed proudly in her home.

Joan also loved to crochet, embroider, and quilt. She liked playing games and watching the Monkeys on her inseparable iPad. Her other favorite past time was EATING – always planning the next meal before finishing the one in front of her, most likely a rack of ribs. Her last meal was a DQ chocolate shake. She was the BEST COOK. You only had to ask her and she loved to entertain.

Joan’s final adventure was moving to Perham with her daughter Kim. She made unforgettable memories with Mindi and the Elevate Connection group. She taught us it’s never too late to meet a new best friend when she found Rosie!

During Joan’s last year she fought many illnesses; Covid, kidney failure, blood disorder, a heart condition, and glaucoma. She earned the nickname “the come back kid” from her brother Allen.

Joan has lived a life of faith. In her last days, she expressed “I have had a great life, I am blessed. I am a Christian, if this is God’s plan, let the celebration begin.” She loved serving her church family especially during coffee fellowship times and making awana meals! Her baptism was very important to her. She was a second mother to many and was a sincere caregiver with her brother Pat (Albert) and sister Marcia.

Proceeding in death were her two husbands, Robert Doll and Robert Meek; her parents, Marcus and Myrtle; siblings, Marcia Gerling, Albert Plaisted, Vivian Johnson; great grandchildren, Ethan Schultz, Moonbeam Gode, and Baby Doll. She is survived by her children, David (Dawn Brown) Doll, Debra (Doyle) Yoder, and Kimberly Gode; seven grandchildren; sixteen great-grandchildren; and three great-great-grandchildren. She is also survived by her siblings Winnie Henrickson and Allen Plaisted; as well as many nieces and nephews.

Roses on the Altar are in memory of her husband Bob, and great grandchildren; Ethan Schultz, Moonbeam Gode and Doll baby.

In Lieu of flowers, memorial donations may be made to the Staples Food Shelf in Joan’s memory, where she enjoyed volunteering at.

Arrangements have been entrusted to the Brenny Family Funeral Chapel, Staples