Obituary
Martha Joan Marx
Martha Joan Marx entered eternity on July 15 th , 2024, into the arms of her loving Lord and Savior, Jesus Christ.He welcomed her saying, “Well done, my good and faithful servant!”
Joan was born December 9, 1937, in Sauk Rapids, MN, to Stanley and Pauline Engebritson. Joan grew up in Sauk Rapids with her two brothers, Bruce and Richard. She attended Trinity Lutheran School and graduated from Sauk Rapids High School in 1955. She later received her nursing degree from Lutheran
Deaconess Hospital School in Minneapolis, MN.
Joan met Curt while they were in grade school attending Trinity Lutheran School. Their courtship began in high school, and they were married in 1960. They started their life together in Minneapolis. Joan began her career as a RN, working at Lutheran Deaconess Hospital. It wasn’t long before they had 2 beautiful daughters, Paula and Beth. In 1965, they moved to La Crosse, WI. Their family grew to include a wonderful son, Kevin. Joan was a nurturing and exceptional Mom. She sewed sweet little outfits for her children, made special meals for holidays, birthdays and just because she wanted to do something fun. She decorated their rooms to reflect their personalities, and she always took the time to be there and help any way she could.
Joan hadn’t been in La Crosse long when she was invited to a Christian Women’s Club meeting. The speaker’s message resonated and profoundly touched her soul. She asked Jesus into her heart, to rule in her life and be her Savior. From that moment on, she was a child of God and wanted to spread the Gospel for all to know. Joan worked at Lutheran Hospital in La Crosse, as an IV nurse. The IV team saw patients throughout the hospital. This was perfect for Joan; she could interact with a multitude of patients. They loved her beautiful
smile, cheerful spirit and caring heart, often asking why she was so happy. Her passion was spreading the love of Jesus.
Caring for people and making them feel special was her heart and soul. She loved assisting friends and family with decorating. She created lovely gifts and took the time to beautifully wrap them. She always sent handwritten cards and invited friends over for a delicious meal and a beautifully set table. Most of the time, the table was adorned with a gorgeous bouquet she made with flowers she grew in her garden. She was a firm believer that it was the details that made it special.
Joan leaves behind three children, Paula (Mark) Clements, Beth (Greg) Burkhart and Kevin (Gail) Marx, a brother, Richard Engebritson, seven grandchildren, Rachael, Courtney, Izaac, Aaron, Gretchen, Alyssa and Kevin (KC), five great grandchildren, Emersyn, Abigail, Jack, David and Ezra, nieces, nephews and dear friends.
Joan was preceded in death by her beloved husband, Curtis Marx, her parents, Stanley and Pauline Engebritson, her brother, Bruce Engebritson, her father and mother-in-law Leonard and Loretta Marx, her sister-in-law, Carol Schiller, brother-in-law, Charles Marx.
A huge thank you goes out to the amazing staff at Riverside Transition Care, Eagle Crest High Equity Care, Gunderson Hospice and Gunderson Hospital for your incredible care. Joan loved getting to know all of you! She was so thankful for your love and tender care!! You made all the difference for her, which was evidenced by her radiant smiles.
Joan had a way of connecting with people and she cared deeply for them. She purposely wore hats with fun accessories to spread joy. People would tell her they liked her hat and she responded, “I wear it to make you smile.” How amazing is that!!! She touched so many lives and will be greatly missed, but her spirit will live on in the hearts of those she touched.
The family will receive friends from 9-11 am Monday, July 29, 2024, at the gathering place. A memorial service will follow at 11am.
Coulee Region Cremation Group is assisting the family. Please visitwww.couleecremation.com for more information.
We had the pleasure of meeting Curt and Joan though our camper club and enjoyed many years of camping locally and also in Texas. Our sympathies to the family in your loss.
Joan is finally with Curt and Jesus. Praise Jesus. We are all going to miss her, but we will see her again. She was such a witness for her Lord!! Always memorizing bible versus. God Bless you all, but what great memories you all will have.
Praise the Lord for an incredible ambassador for Jesus!!!! What a special friend to so many…..including me! I am out of town until September or I would certainly be at the service to see all of you.
So sorry for your family’s loss. I so remember her taking my blood so many times. Never hurt. Seeing her always with a smile. She will surely be missed but what great memories you have of her.
Joan was a true crusader for her Lord and Savior, Jesus Christ❣️ Her joy for life and her smile sent out rays of sunshine wherever she was. I got to know Joan thru my business in Winona, the Rusty Bucket and her dear friend Debbye. She sent me several cards during our friendship and one she wrote: “A favorite verse for me, a recipe for peace: Philippians 4:6-7” Dear Joan, I can see you in a gardening hat tending God’s garden 👩🌾 May you now rest in your Lords arms. My sympathy to the Marx families. Shayna Dais
Curt and Joan were faithful Christians who made us feel welcomed when we moved into the area. Joan was a joy to work with at church events. She excelled at praying with and visiting others. Joan touched many lives with the joy of Jesus!
Our dear friend Joan will be greatly missed by all of us who knew and loved her. She and Curt were such a special part of the Shepherd of the Hills church family. Joan had the most beautiful smile and such beautiful handwriting. The notes she wrote are treasures filled with scripture and love. She truly was a witness for the Lord and a wonderful mentor for all of us. I can still hear Curt’s beautiful voice in the choir. They are together again. We certainly would have been at her memorial but we will be out of town that day. We will send a memorial to Shepherd’s Flock Preschool in memory of Joan. She loved the little children. She will be greatly missed. Sending a big hug to the family. You are in my thoughts and prayers.
Joan was truly wonderful. She was happy and kind to all people. I’m sure Jesus and Curt welcomed her with open arms. I will miss you and your hats.
Joan, Our Dear Friend I met when Ray and I were married at Faith Lutheran Church in La Crosse. She and Curt always were smiling and laughing and making me feel so welcome always. She became a very good friend of mine and Ray’s. So many memories so many years. I am so thankful that Rob Wessler, Sharon Ryan and I got out to see her recently. She was full of smiles and she recited so many Bible verses for us. She had a great memory, we were so amazed by her. Joan sent me many notes that I treasure from her. Now I know how much I am going to miss her, She is now with Jesus and with Curt and that gives me another smile. She would always tell me, Jesus Loves You and So Do I.
Her family is in our thoughts and prayers. God Bless You All.
Joan was such a true Christian witness who wore the best hats to Sunday Worship. We prayed together and enjoyed Logger baseball games with her & Curt. We thank God for His gift of Joan in our lives.
As I sit here reading this obituary of my very good friend Joan Marx, tears are running down my cheeks. Joan was a cheerleader for Jesus Christ and told all she met about him. We enjoyed Christian Women’s Club together with her beautiful created name tags. Miss you Joan!!!
Curt and Joan were such beautiful, selfless, and faithful people. They both made Bill and I feel so welcome when we first joined SOTH, and we enjoyed a lovely friendship. We especially enjoyed many wonderful meals with the SOTH ‘Dinner Club’, and I will always remember the beautiful and creative dishes and cookies Joan would contribute. Enjoy eternity in paradise together, you two, and give our love to Pastor and Joan, and our dear, dear Audrey. Love to you, old friends.
I’m sorry for your family’s loss. Joan and Curt were an exceptional couple. May your reflections and memories uplift you today and always.