Joan Ethel Essen

Joan Essen, age 83, passed away at Carefree Living in Silver Bay, Minnesota on Sunday, September 27, 2026. Joan was born to Lillian and Emil Ranta on June 30, 1943 and raised by Lillian and Jack Heikkinen as Emil passed away when she was only weeks old. She grew up in Wawina, MN and graduated from Grand Rapids, MN. Joan married Leroy Essen on October 23, 1965 and moved to Cloquet where they raised a family; sons Scott, Ian, and James.

Joan ran an in-home daycare for many years and also spent many hours dedicated to Cloquet youth hockey, volunteering and chauffeuring kids to and from games and between the rinks before retiring. In Joan’s retirement she enjoyed spending time with friends, going out to eat at local restaurants, participating in church activities, and attending class reunions and local activities in Grand Rapids and Wawina.

Joan is preceded in death by her husband, Leroy; sons, Ian and infant, James; and her sister, Lola. She is survived by her son, Scott (Kristie) of Maple, WI; grandchildren; Megan (Adam), and Nicholas of Lake Nebagamon, WI, Cole, Breklyn, and Aunikka of Maple, WI; great – grandchildren, Colton, Karson and Kameron of Lake Nebagamon, WI; siblings, Archie (Joey) Ranta, Bonnie (John) Sibel, and Linda (Ken) Johnson.

A visitation will be held on Saturday, October 3, 2026 at Atkins – Northland Funeral Home in Cloquet, MN starting at 10 a.m. until the 11 a.m. funeral service. A private family burial will take place at Maple Grove Cemetery in Cloquet, MN. To sign the guest book and leave and online tribute see www.atkinsnorthlandfuneralhome.com