Joan Shepherd, age 75, of Elkton, SD, passed away on Tuesday, July 23, 2024, at the Sanford USD Medical Center in Sioux Falls following a long battle with cancer.  Funeral services will be 11:00 A.M. on Monday, July 29th at Trinity Ev. Lutheran Church in Elkton with burial to follow at the church cemetery.  Visitation will be from 4-7 P.M. on Sunday, July 28th at Skroch and Eidsness Funeral Chapel in Elkton.  Eidsness Funeral Home is assisting the family with arrangements.

Joan Elaine Shepherd was born on October 7, 1948 to Wesley and Adeline (Jeske) Gramberg.  She grew up in Summit with her dad and stepmother Ruth (Ellsworth).  She graduated from Summit High School.

After graduating she married Raymond Shepherd on May 20, 1967.  While living in Watertown and Hayti, she was employed at Midland Insurance Company.  In 1973, they relocated to Aurora, South Dakota; and in 1977, they moved to Elkton, South Dakota where she was residing at the time of her death.  During this time she was employed at Coast-to-Coast Warehouse and babysat in her home.  Joan eventually worked at Maynards Food Center and Jager's Grocery.

Joan enjoyed her three grandchildren and her cats.  She loved spending her time gardening, growing flowers, and canning produce.

Joan is survived by two daughters: Kristi (Jeff) Brunsting of Elkton and Connie (Grant) McGill of Elkton; three grandchildren: Adeline Brunsting, Wesley McGill, and Wyatt McGill; special family friend Connie Styf of Oakdale, Minnesota; siblings: Karen Shepherd of Webster, South Dakota, Junell Spiering of Webster, South Dakota, Morgan (Debbie) Rohde of Madison, South Dakota, Kenny (Janel) Rohde of Rosholt, South Dakota, Susan (Dennis) Daly of Webster, South Dakota, Jane Richards of Yukon, Oklahoma, Eunice Amdahl of Summit, South Dakota, Loren Gramberg of Watertown, South Dakota, Janice Remmington of Zimmerman, Minnesota, and Jeanette (Gary) Underwood of Milbank, South Dakota; her cats: Timmy, Wheezy, Kitten, Lily, and Liam; and many nieces, nephews, cousins, and friends.

She was preceded in death by her husband Ray; parents Wesley Gramberg and Adeline Rohde; stepmother Ruth Gramberg; twin granddaughters Elaine Rose and Carly Faye McGill; siblings Larry Rohde, Doreen Rohde, and Steve Ellsworth; and brothers-in-law Kenny Shepherd, Felix Spiering, and Gary Amdahl.