Joan Norgaard

Watch out St. Peter! Joan Norgaard is heading your way, and she has a few projects in mind for you! If you knew her you know she’d have a “little something” for you to do as well. Joan loved her family, Christ Church, and her Red Wing community.

Joan Clarke Norgaard died peacefully at her own home April 9, 2026 at nearly 102 years old, well cared for by her companion and friend, Holly.

Her daughters thought she was exceptional. Joan did lots of “motherly” things… drove them to tap and ballet lessons, made them practice piano, served as Brownie leader… but she also did headstands, water skied, and figure skated. An avid golfer, she scored a hole in one. She served healthy foods, did exercises and did yoga before it was “cool”.

As a volunteer at the Red Wing Arts Association, she was a one-person Chamber of Commerce, giving visitors advice on places to tour. Joan was quick to share ideas she thought would improve Red Wing… from suggesting the Plein Air arts event, to improving access to the Carlson Lime Kiln site on the northeast end of Barn Bluff, to ringing church bells in honor of Easter. She loved history and even wrote a book, The Betcher Estate, once located in her fairgrounds neighborhood.

Joan was born on August 28, 1924, in Ironwood, Michigan and grew up in Hayward, Wisconsin. She became a Registered Nurse in 1945 and later earned a B.S. from the University of Minnesota. It was at “The U” that she met Olaf Harold “O.H.” Norgaard, a man who made her laugh and whom she adored for their more than 50 years of marriage. They married on January 11, 1949, and O.H. died in November 2003.

Joan is survived by daughters, Marjorie Grier of Richmond, Virginia, and Ann (John) Smereczniak of Red Wing, Minnesota; her son-in-law, William Mezger of Lampasas, Texas; nine grandchildren and step-grandchildren, Lacy Mezger Hart, Andrew (Kathryn) Healy, Ben (Beena) Smereczniak, Mathew (Kristi) Mezger, Philip Smereczniak, Will Mezger, Alex Smereczniak, Alexis (Langdon) Reid, and Emily (Raj) Madan; and seven great-grandchildren, Olivia Joan Hart, Chase Hart, Lindsay Healy, Brian Healy, Maxwell Smereczniak, Luka Smereczniak, and Imajen Andrade. She was pre-deceased by her daughter, Katherine Mezger and son-in-law Frank Grier.

A memorial service will be held at Christ Episcopal Church in Red Wing at 11:00 a.m. on Friday, May 8, 2026 with a celebration of life following. In lieu of flowers, contributions may be sent to the church, to the Red Wing Arts Association, or to the charity of your choice.