Nephew, Joan F. Dayton, MN, passed away on December 12, 2022 at the University of Minnesota Fairview Hospital. She was born on October 11, 1953 in Crookston, MN to Arnold and Margaret Nephew of Fertile, MN, where she was raised and attended both elementary and high school. She attained her B.S. degree from Moorhead State University, Moorhead, MN and completed graduate work in public health at University of Minnesota and the University of Wisconsin. Joan had an accomplished professional career, predominately in the non-profit sector. She was the Executive Director of the Fresh Water Society from 2007 until her retirement in 2013, and remained on the Board of Directors until her passing. Previously, she was President of the Institute for Environmental Assessment, Executive Director of the Environmental Resource Council and Executive Vice President of the Minnesota Institute of Public Health. In these roles she managed environmental health projects, worked in industry and government and oversaw environmental health and safety policy for schools and other institutions. Joan was an avid traveler, gardener, book reader and enjoyed hiking and the ocean. She especially enjoyed her trips to Sanibel Island which she cherished and looked forward to each winter. Joan had a love for animals especially dogs. Her first dog Sunny enjoyed fourteen years with Joan and current pet Brooklyn is also fourteen, and is going to live out her days on a good friend's farm. In retirement, Joan volunteered at the Animal Humane Society of Minnesota, and was a strong advocate for the rescue and adoption program. She was also a volunteer for state of Minnesota's Office of Ombudsman for Long-Term Care, which serves people needing or receiving long-term care through complaint investigation, advocacy and education. Joan was preceded in death by her parents and one brother Arnold Nephew, and special friend and partner Jim Huberty. Joan is survived by her sister Pat Mack, brother Robert (Mary) Nephew, brother Tim (Jane) Nephew and sister-in-law Terri Nephew. Joan leaves behind her eight nieces and nephews that she loved and treated as her own. She also leaves an extended family of her close friends and their children who she made a point of celebrating or commemorating all the important milestones of their lives. A celebration of Joan's life will be held January 4, 2023 at St. Joan of Arc Catholic Church, Minneapolis, MN. Visitation 10 - 11 am, with Mass of Christian Burial at 11:00. Interment to held in the spring. Any memorial gifts given are requested to be made to Animal Humane Society of Minnesota or the Pulmonary Fibrosis Foundation.

Published on January 1, 2023