Joan Elizabeth (DeSart) (Block) Meyer unexpectedly passed away on Friday, April 4, 2014, at St. Mary’s Hospital in Rochester at the age of 82. Fortunately she was able-bodied, in good spirits and lived an active and vibrant life until her passing.

Joan was born on Sept. 20, 1931, in Lake City, Iowa to Virgil and Ila (VanScoy) DeSart. As a young child, Joan and her family moved to Austin, Minn., where she graduated from AHS in 1949.  Shortly after graduation she began her working career with Hormel as a teletype operator. In 1951, she married Kenneth Block and was happily married for 32 years before his passing in 1983.  After many years raising her family, in 1978, she returned to work with Hormel in the insurance department. Joan met and married Robert Meyer in 1986 and in 1988 she retired.

She was active at the First United Methodist Church, where she was baptized, confirmed, married, and volunteered in various roles for her entire life. Joan was also active in the Eternal Order of the Eastern Star in which she served as Worthy Matron, and she proudly volunteered at Austin Medical Center, where she served as President of the hospital auxiliary and worked for many years in the gift and coffee shop.

Joan loved socializing and playing bridge with friends.  She and Bob enjoyed traveling with each other and with friends. They took many road trips around the country visiting friends and relatives and enjoyed several “Mystery Trips.” But nothing brought her greater joy than spending time with her large family and especially hosting family gatherings during holidays. Joan was a wonderful wife, mother and grandmother. She will be greatly missed by her family and many friends.

Joan was preceded in death by her parents, siblings Jean (DeSart) Riggs and Lair DeSart, husband Kenneth Block, and son-in-law John Herron.

Joan is survived by her loving husband for 28 years, Robert Meyer, of Austin; her children Jody (Greg) Hegedus of Brooklyn Park, Minn.; Steven (Bette) Block of Prior Lake, Minn.; and Brian (Suzanne) Block of Stillwater, Minn.; grandchildren include: Keely Herron, Andrew (LeAnna) Herron, Stephen Herron, Donna (Peter LaBate) Block, Rush Block, Dane Block, Evan Block, Hayden Block and Carina Block; four great-grandchildren; stepchildren: Roberta Meyer of Lee’s Summit, Mo.; Rebecca Bernard of Reno, Nev.; Roger Meyer of San Lorenzo, Calif.; Rhonda (Charlie) Rivera of Long Beach, Calif.; eight step-grandchildren; brother and sisters-in-law: Wesley (Shirley) DeSart of Austin; and Doris DeSart of Rochester; nieces and nephews.

A memorial service will be held at 11 a.m. on Saturday, April 19, at the First United Methodist Church with the Rev. Marilee Benson officiating. Visitation will be at Clasen-Jordan Mortuary on from 4 to 7 p.m. Friday, April 18, and at the church for one hour before the service on Saturday morning. There will be an Eastern Star service at 6:15 p.m. Friday at Clasen-Jordan Mortuary conducted by Unity Chapter 29, O.E.S.

Memorials may be designated to First United Methodist Church.