Joanne Block, 84, formerly of Webster and Huron, passed away August 9, 2026, at Tieszen Memorial Home, in Marion SD.

A Celebration of Life Saturday, September 19, 2026, at Fiksdal Funeral Service, a visitation will begin at 10:30am followed by a service at 11:30am. Inurnment will be at St. Otto’s Catholic Cemetery following the service. Everyone is invited back to the funeral home following the burial for a time of fellowship and lunch.

Joanne (Tofley) Block was born April 26, 1942, in Webster to John and Avis (Bakken) Tofley. She was baptized and confirmed in the American Lutheran Church. She attended Northwestern Country School through the 8th Grade.

Joanne grew up on a farm a few miles NW of Webster. They had crops and farm animals to tend to. She told stories of her childhood home not having running water or electricity when she was young. They would also burn corn cobs for heat in the wood stove during the winter. She remembered all the local farmers working together at threshing time. When they gathered at their farm, she recalled the large meals prepared by her mom and aunt Juella to feed all the workers. A favorite part of her childhood was going out in the pasture to bring in the dairy cows at night.

Her dad taught her to play the guitar at a young age. She enjoyed playing along with him at various family gatherings. When she was 14 years old, the family moved into Webster. She would babysit to earn money and help the family.

Joanne married Andy Block on July 1, 1961. They lived in Bristol for about a year and then relocated to Webster. They had 4 children together. Joanne’s kids, grandkids, and great grandkids brought such joy into her life. She was so proud of each of them and their accomplishments. Spending time with her family was the highlight of her life and brought her so much happiness. She felt honored when her kids’ friends would call her “mom”, it brought her great pleasure to know that they felt so close to her.

Although being a “Mom” was Joanne’s first priority, she did work outside the home. She worked at the Bethesda Nursing Home in the laundry dept. and also painted homes in the Webster area. She and Andy owned and operated the Texaco gas station from 1972-1976. Later, she managed the SFP gas station in town. Joanne moved to Huron in 1992 where she enjoyed working with the young children in the Headstart Program. She was a resident at Tieszen Memorial Home since May 2024.

Survivors include her children: Brenda, Jodi and Alan, Lonnie, Rhonda and Mike; 10 grandchildren; 19 great-grandchildren; and sister Cheryl.

She was preceded in death by her parents; husband; sister Valerie; and Son-in-Law Russ.