Margaret Joan Ashburn

Margaret Joan Ashburn, 85, Paynesville, MN – formally of DeGraff and Benson, passed peacefully away on Sunday, December 18th, 2022, at her home under the care of CentraCare Hospice. Visitation will be held at 10:00 AM - 11:00 AM, followed by the Mass of Christian Burial at 11:00 AM on Tuesday, January 3, 2023, at St. Francis Catholic Church in Benson, MN. A private family interment will be at Lakewood Cemetery in Minneapolis, MN.

Margaret Joan Ashburn was born on July 16th, 1937, to Francis “Hack” Simmonds and Margaret (Bouta) Simmonds in Benson, MN. She was baptized and confirmed at St. Bridget’s Catholic Church in DeGraff, MN. She attended school in Benson and graduated in 1955. Immediately following graduation, Joan began working for her father at Simmonds Produce in DeGraff as their secretary.
She was married to Larry Ashburn on November 26th, 1960, at St. Bridget’s Catholic Church in DeGraff, MN. This union was blessed with five children.

Larry and Joan lived in DeGraff for 40 years. They then built a beautiful home in Benson where they lived until moving to Paynesville in March of 2021. Besides working at Simmonds Produce, from 1955 – 1963, Joan was a homemaker to her five children. After her children were grown, she worked at Chevalier and Associates from 1996 -2008. She also worked for her husband’s business, Ashburn Real Estate & Appraising, for over 30 years.

Joan treasured the time with family and friends, enjoyed traveling with her husband to Mazatlán, Mexico, and cherished the many activities of her children and grandchildren. Joan was a woman of many talents which included decorating, drawing, making floral arrangements, and painting ceramics. She had a huge love for baking bread and will always be remembered for saying multiple rosaries a day.
Joan is survived by her husband, Larry of 62 years. Her children Kathryn (Mark) Dingmann of Paynesville, Jon (Lisa) Ashburn of Sunburg, Dan (Katie) Ashburn of Dayton, and Tom Ashburn of Minneapolis. Ten Grandchildren, four Great-grandchildren, and brother Joe (Carol) Simmonds of DeGraff. Joan was proceeded in death by her parents; son, Michael Ashburn; siblings Mary “Dot” Lee, Robert Simmonds, Frank Simmonds, and Patricia Johnson.

A special Thank You is extended to Father Glenn Krystosek (St. Louis Catholic Church – Paynesville, MN) and to the CentraCare Hospice and Home Health staff for their loving and compassionate care. Memorials are preferred to CentraCare Hospice.