Joan Bernice Picha

JOAN BERNICE PICHA, age 92 of Montgomery, died on the morning of Friday, June 6, 2025 at Traditions of Montgomery.

Joan was born in Montgomery on June 22, 1932, to parents Joseph and Anna (Edel) Shetka. She attended school in Montgomery and graduated from Montgomery High School with the class of 1950. That same year she was crowned Montgomery’s Kolacky Queen. On October 16, 1951, she was united in marriage with Elroy Milton Picha at Most Holy Redeemer Catholic Church in Montgomery. Over the years she worked at Ernie’s Super Valu, Green Giant, and Westerman Lumber, although for many years she dreamed of being a stewardess. She was a past 4-H Club leader, organizer of the Class of 1950 reunions, and was involved in countless church activities at Most Holy Redeemer where she was a lifelong member. A devoted farm wife and homemaker all her adult life, Joan was invaluable on the farm, and she enjoyed cooking and canning, reading, coloring, working sudoku puzzles and cryptograms, watching birds and squirrels, and getting together with family. She also loved traveling with her husband and had visited Europe, New England, Colorado, Alaska, and the entirety of the Midwest.

Joan is survived by four children, Karen (David) Kreuser of Jordan, Steve (Rita) Picha of Montgomery, Dave (Colleen) Picha of Northfield, and Michael (Diane) Picha of Owatonna; nine grandchildren; and twenty great-grandchildren. She was preceded in death by her parents; her husband; a brother, Robert Shetka; a brother in infancy, Donald Shetka; and numerous aunts and uncles.

Mass of Christian burial will be celebrated by Fr. Timothy Sandquist at 12:00 p.m. on Thursday, June 12, 2025, at Most Holy Redeemer Catholic Church in Montgomery. Visitation will be held from 10:00 a.m. until the time of the Mass at the church. Following a luncheon, interment will be held at Trebon Cemetery.