Ardella "Joan" Bruels, age 98, of North Mankato, died on March 10, 2025, surrounded by her family.

Funeral Mass will be held on Monday, March 17, 2025 at 2:00 p.m. at Immaculate Conception Catholic Church, St. Clair. Visitation will be Monday from 1:00-2:00 p.m. at the church. Private burial will be in Immaculate Conception Cemetery, St. Clair. Mankato Mortuary is assisting the family with arrangements. Memorials are preferred to St. Croix Hospice.

Joan was born on July 24, 1926 in Pemberton to Gerhard and Bertina (Quam) Oftedahl. She graduated from Pemberton High School in 1944 and then from Mankato Commercial College. Joan worked at Hubbard Milling Company prior to her marriage to Leon Bruels on October 1, 1947 at Immaculate Conception Catholic Church. After marriage, Joan dedicated her time to raising her family.

Joan is survived by five children, Susan Hawker, LeAnne (Michael) Tate, Richard (Janice) Bruels, Judy Beahm, and Michael (Karla) Bruels; ten grandchildren, Jeff, Jeremy, John, Rob, Ashley, Tyler, Aaron, Emily, Tracy, and Troy; seven great-grandchildren, Evelyn, Nicholas, Megan, Trevor, Uno, Taiyo, and Maslow; and one great-great-granddaughter, Nora. She was preceded in death by her parents; husband, Leon; siblings, Herbert Oftedahl, Gordon Oftedahl, Agatha Bollman, Charlotte Blank, Edison Oftedahl, and Catherine Koplen.