Elizabeth Joan Daigneau, 94, died peacefully in her sleep on Sept. 6, 2017, at her home at Our House Assisted Living in Austin, Minnesota, with her family present. She was comforted in her last days by Heartland Hospice.

Joan was born Sept. 9, 1922, in Slayton, Minnesota, to Lars and Olive (Ludington) Bondhus. She lived most of her life in Austin, graduating from Austin High School in 1940.

She married Larry Daigneau on July 9, 1945, in Austin. She was always proud of the fact that Larry’s uncle Kenneth gave the name “SPAM” to Jay Hormel for his new lunch meat in 1936. Joan worked briefly at ‘’the light plant” in Austin before becoming a full-time housewife and mother.

She had been a member of the First Congregational Church of Austin, and Mower County Senior Center. She loved playing bridge and solitaire, reading, and animals — especially dogs. She enjoyed bowling, and was inducted into the Bowling Hall of Fame in 1977. An avid golfer, she was thrilled to win the Austin Country Club Ladies Championship in 1971.

Joan is survived by her daughter, Pat McKelvey of Daly City, California; and a niece and nephew in Montana. She was preceded in death by her parents; her sister Barbara; and her husband.

Her last five years were made much easier and happier because of the devoted care and friendship of her extraordinary home care nurse, Nancy Johnson.

Private interment was held at Oakwood Cemetery with Clasen-Jordan Mortuary in charge of arrangements.