Joan Marie Montaniel

Joan M. Montaniel, 70 of Devils Lake, originally of Milnor, ND passed away on Monday evening, September 19, 2011 at her home in the loving care of her family. Funeral Services for Joan will be held on Monday, September 26, 2011 at 11:00 a.m. at St. Olaf Lutheran Church, Devils Lake with Rev. Jeff Nicla officiating. Visitation will be held at the Gilbertson Funeral Home, Devils Lake on Sunday from 2:00 p.m. until 7:00 p.m. with a Prayer Service and Time of Remembrance at 7:00 p.m. Visitation on Monday will be at the church one hour prior to the funeral service. Graveside Services will be held at the Lakeview Cemetery, Milnor, ND on Tuesday, September 27, 2011 at 2:00 p.m. with a time of fellowship immediately following the graveside service at the Milnor Lutheran Church. Pastor Roger Johnson will officiate. Casket Bearers will be Wayne Muscha, William "Bill" Deck, Mark Costain, Daryl Costain, Larry Nygren and Glen "Tiger" Hopman. Honorary Bearers will be David Jolls, Troy Mahler,Ryan Nelson and loving family members. Music will be provided by Rev Jeff Nicla, Donna Trapp and Eric Johnson with Lynda Pearson, organist. Joan Marie was born on March 14, 1941 at Breckenridge, Minnesota the daughter of Melvin S. and Hazel Marie (Bengston) Fir. She lived with her family in the rural Milnor area, first attending a local country school house before attending and graduating from Milnor High School with the class of 1959. She then began nursing school in Breckenridge and completed her nurses training there before obtaining her surgical nurses certification at Hennepin County Hospital. She worked for a time at Mount Sinai Hospital in St. Paul, MN. Joan was united in marriage to Necito L. Montaniel on June 9, 1965 in Minneapolis MN. Later, the couple and their family lived in Crookston MN and Harvey ND before setting up residence in Devils Lake. Joan was active in the community, was a member of the Pioneer Daughters and St. Olaf Lutheran Church and a strong supporter of missionary work in the Philippines. She was a founding member of Philippine ~ Americans ~ Minnesota ~ Dakotas. She was a volunteer Medical Missionary to the Philippines and was a sponsor to many local schools and churches and hospitals in the Philippines. She lived a life of service to her family and her faith and gave generously to those in need. She loved music, collecting antiques, crafts and many other hobbies. Joan touched many lives in a very special way and will be a cherished memory in all who knew and loved her. Joan was preceded in death by her parents Melvin and Hazel Fir and father-in-law and mother-in-law Bonifacio and Macaria Montaniel. Joan is survived by her husband Dr. N.L. Montaniel of Devils Lake; children Marie and her husband Robert Volk of Harvey, ND, Ann and her husband Ali Al-Oteiby of St. Michael, Minnesota, Gabriel Montaniel, Devils Lake, Emily Montaniel, Burbank, California, Jean Montaniel of Moorhead, Minnesota; granddaughters Tina (Nathan) Bonnet, Goodrich, ND, Kendra (Cody) Marquart, Anamoose, ND and Shelby Volk, Fargo, ND; eight nieces and nephews; many grand nieces and grand nephews; sisters-in-law Resurrection (Raul) Firmo and Visitation Cabanero of the Philippines; aunt Cresencia Montaniel and special family friend Chai Lasarte both of the Philippines; She also leaves behind many beloved cousins.