Joan was born January 20, 1926, to Leo and Emily Robeck in St. Michael, Minnesota, where she was raised on a farm. When Joan was 17, she set out for Minneapolis with her sister, Doris, to work for Honeywell. After working at Honeywell, she pursued a degree in cosmetology. Once graduated, she was a hairdresser at Dayton’s department store. Joan met Ed Hiltner at the Calhoun Dancing Place that she and her friends frequented. They were married on June 25, 1947, at St. Mary’s Basilica Church in Minneapolis and moved to North Dakota. They made their home, raised their family and farmed in the Langdon area and eventually moved to Langdon in 1971. Joan worked in dietary at the Langdon hospital for 40 years before retiring.
Joan was very involved with Catholic Daughters, Altar Society, Eagles Auxiliary, and the Senior Center. She gardened and canned everything. She sewed beautifully and made long dresses for Langdon celebrations. She also sewed all her baby gowns and pajamas. She loved ceramic classes, playing bingo, softball and spending time with her sisters.
Joan will be missed for all the love she shared with her family, demonstrated by all her hard work keeping her children fed, clothed and happy.
Joan is survived by her children: Dennis (Linda) Hiltner, Daryl (Robin) Hiltner, Sharon (Walt) Hollifield, Wayne (Melissa) Hiltner, Marilyn Hiltner, Lyle Hiltner, and Patricia (Scott) Stewart; grandchildren and great-grandchildren. She was preceded in death by her parents; her husband, Ed; an infant son, Richard; son Dale; and all her siblings (six brothers and five sisters).
A service for Joan will be held at 1:00 p.m. on Saturday, August 22, 2026, at Brooks Funeral Home of Langdon, ND, with visitation starting at Noon. Burial of ashes will be at Calvary Cemetery, Langdon.
In lieu of flowers, the family requests memorials be directed to Langdon Prairie Health Foundation.