Rief, Joan Frances (Burkhart) age 90, of Chaska, passed away Sunday, October 23, 2022. Joan was born September 4, 1932, the fourth of eight children. She attended Guardian Angels Catholic School and Church growing up. Joan met Frank Victor Rief, the love of her life, and was united in marriage on September 29, 1951. They raised two children, David and Susan (Sukie) Lahr. She was a stay-at-home mom, and later was employed as a Carver County 911 dispatcher. Joan also worked for Bachman's after retiring from the County. She is dearly loved and will be missed by her children, David (Jane) Rief and Sukie (Jerry) Lahr; grandchildren, Julie (Chad) Stevens, Jason (Ruby) Lahr, Scott (Caitlin) Rief, Abby (Andrew) Hinton, Mitch (Becky) Lahr, and Danielle (Brian) Kmetz; 10 great-grandchildren; brothers-in-law Leroy Worm and Jim Schmieg; and many extended family and friends. Joan is reunited in Heaven with her husband, Frank; her parents, Joseph and Anne (Wudke) Burkhart; siblings, Richard (Tish) Burkhart, MaryLou (Jim) Majerus, Robert (Mary) Burkhart, Nancy (Don) Schesso, Jeanine Schmieg, Margaret Worm, and Marilyn (Gerry) Schneewind. In her ever-giving ways, she donated her body to the University of Minnesota Bequest Program. A Celebration of Life will be held November 5 from 1:00 to 3:00 p.m. at Cy's banquet room in Chaska, near her childhood backyard.

Published on October 30, 2022