Hesselmann, Joan M.

Joan M. Hesselmann, 71, of Niwot, Colorado, formerly of Cedar Rapids, died July 16, 2010 at Longmont United Hospital after a short battle with cancer.

She was born on July 20, 1938 in New Vienna, Iowa to Otto and Theresa (Recker) Hagemann. Joan grew up the youngest of 12 children on a farm near New Vienna. In between her sophomore and her junior years of high school her family moved to Dyersville where she met her husband, James Hesselmann. Joan graduated from Xavier High School in Dyersville in 1956.

Joan and James were married on May 10, 1958 at St. Francis Xavier Basilica in Dyersville. They were married for 52 years and lived the majority of this time in Cedar Rapids, Iowa. Joan spent the early years of her marriage raising three children before beginning her career with the Iowa Department of Motor Vehicles in 1978. She spent 22 years there before retiring in January 2000. After retirement, Jim and Joan moved to Niwot, living close to their daughter Sheila and her family.

She was an active member of St. John the Baptist Catholic Church in Longmont, Colorado. Joan enjoyed reading books and loved taking long walks with Jim. She also enjoyed being with family and was especially proud of her five grandchildren.

Joan was preceded in death by her parents; her brothers, Urban, James and Charles Hagemann; and her sister, Cindy.

She is survived by her loving husband, James Hesselmann of Niwot; two sons, John Hesselmann (Meg) of Chicago and Patrick Hesselmann (Amy) of Orland Park, Illinois; a daughter, Sheila Perry (Kenn) of Niwot; five grandchildren, Sarah, Meghan, Sadie, Jacob and Zackary; two sisters, Delores Bierman and Eileen Hagemann; five brothers, Joseph Hagemann (Kay), John Hagemann (Veronica), Walter Hagemann (Irene), Edwin Hagemann (Inez) and Julius Hagemann (Betty); and a sister-in-law, LaVerne Hagemann.

There will be a Mass of Christian Burial at 10:30 a.m. on July 26, 2010 at St. Boniface Catholic Church, 7401 Columbus St. in New Vienna, Iowa. Cremation has taken place at Ahlberg Funeral Chapel and Crematory, Longmont. Memorial contributions may be made to St. John the Baptist Food Bank and mailed to Ahlberg Funeral Chapel, 326 Terry St., Longmont, CO 80501. Share condolences at .