Simply CremationJoan Alice (DeRosier) Pontinen
Joan was born on October 11th, 1934 in Duluth, Minnesota to August and Marguerite DeRosier. There, she was raised and attended school, graduating from Denfeld High School in 1952. In 1954 Joan married her beloved husband of 61 years, Ron Pontinen. Shortly after, they began their family and raised four loving children in Minneapolis. Joan spent the majority of her years devoting her time and energy to raising their four children and serving the community. In 2002, they moved to Surprise, Arizona. Her hobbies included “junking”, card playing, and entertaining. Joan also had a special eye for decorating their home, especially during the holidays. Joan was a loving daughter, wife, mother, sister, grandmother, and great grandmother. She is survived by her husband, children; Tom (Sue) Pontinen, Kim (Rick) Nelson, Ray Pontinen, and Emily Pontinen, sisters; Mary Kujawa and Cathy Andersen, along with 6 grandchildren, 5 great grandchildren and many nieces and nephews. Joan fought a long and hard battle, but passed in peace on January 8th, 2016 surrounded by her loved ones. We love you! The family would like to extend a special thank you to the staff and doctors of Banner Del Webb Hospital and Hospice in Sun City West, Arizona.
Sending a goodbye to the cherished mom of my best friend, a trusted, kind, and hilarious second mom to me in my youth. And sending my love to her surviving family, my second family. Ron, Tom, Kim, Ray, and my dear Emily. Love and sorrow, Allison