Joan Elizabeth Schonning

On Wednesday September 10th 2025, Joan Elizabeth Schonning died after an eleven month battle with cancer. At the time of her passing, husband Steve, daughter Kelsey, and son Aaron were there holding her hands. We lamented her leaving but were joyful for her relief as she slipped these surly bonds of this earth to touch the face of God. Joan was born 63 years ago to Thomas and Fern Coleman of Le Seuer Minnesota where she spent her childhood. She was the youngest of her five siblings, Kate, Kevin, Peg, Mary and Connie. She was active in sports in her youth, and loved volleyball which she played into adulthood. Tragedy struck her family in 1981 when her mother Fern passed away from breast cancer. She filled that space in her heart with two things, a renewed faith in God and the love of her life, Steve. Joan and Steve were married in 1983 and made their home in Brooklyn Center in 1985, where they raised two children, Aaron and Kelsey. Together they filled their home with joy, faith, and endless precious memories. Joan loved to decorate and re-decorate, spray paint furniture, and use her talents with calligraphy to fill their home with the word of God on any flat surface she fancied. She filled her children's hearts and minds with memories of nightly reading sessions, garage sales, thrift shopping, bicycle rides, family vacations and endless church activities. Later in life their house was once again filled with the joyous laughter of four grandchildren, which it was her delight to know and spend time with. Her annual Grandma Birthday Sleepover Extravaganza, featuring bubbles and dance parties and special movies, were an icon of her spirit of delight and love towards her grandchildren. Starting in the early 1990's, Joan worked first for Brooklyn Center Schools, Dolphin Family Services, and ended her career with Osseo Area Schools. She started as a teacher-para when her children were both attending Earle Brown elementary, and ended her career working with ESL students at Park Center High School. Joan had a passion for reading, and shared it with hundreds of students over the years. Joan became known in the last few years for her Treasure Swaps. These swaps brought together some of Joan's favorite things - gathering people she loved, helping people de-clutter, and the sheer joy of finding something for free that you totally love. She collected items from friends and family, arranged them like a thrift store in her home, and invited friends, family and neighbors to gather to share the treasures, taking home anything that caught their eye. Any remaining items were donated by the truck load to ARC Value Village. Joan is survived by her husband Steve, son Aaron (Allison) Schonning, daughter Kelsey (Tim) Schuster. Her beloved grandchildren Axel and Eloise Schonning, Joslyn and Verena Schuster. Her Siblings Kevin (Carol) Coleman, Peg Coleman, Mary Colman, Connie (Everett) LeVine. We have faith that Joan was greeted by that "great cloud of witnesses" mentioned in the Bible who testify to a life beyond this one. We trust that among those witnesses were her parents, Tom and Fern, her sister Kate, her father and mother-in law Raymond and Winnifred, brothers-in-law, Craig, and Bill. A Celebration of Life will be held for Joan on Saturday, September 27th at 2pm at Genesis, which meets at Robbinsdale Parkway United Church of Christ (4200 Lake Rd Ave, Robbinsdale, MN 55422). There will be a service and reception to follow. In lieu of flowers, Joan's family invites you to donate to your favorite cause, or just go out and find something at a thrift store that makes you smile.

Tributes

Joan Elizabeth Schonning

December 27, 1961 - September 10, 2025

Tributes

Joan Elizabeth Schonning

December 27, 1961 - September 10, 2025

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