Joan Orchard Obituary

Joan Christine "Joanie" Orchard (Lison) ObituaryJoan Christine Orchard, aged 67, of Eden Prairie, passed away suddenly on June 21, 2025.
Joanie, known to her beloved granddaughters as Gigi, was born on April 24th, 1958, in Madison, Wisconsin. She was the daughter of General James (Jay) Lison and Marian Kehl, both of Green Bay. Joanie attended James Madison Memorial High School, graduating in 1976. She attended the University of Wisconsin in Madison and earned her nursing degree from the University of Wisconsin-Madison School of Nursing. She began her career as a pediatric nurse at the University of Wisconsin Hospital, and there met Dr. Paul Orchard, who was training in pediatrics. They were married on March 21, 1986.
Their daughter, Christina, was born in 1987 in Madison, and the family relocated to the Minneapolis area a few months later. Their son Alexander was born in 1988, followed by Ryan in 1999.
Joanie left nursing after Alex's birth to focus on raising her family. She was a kind, giving and gentle soul who loved her family very deeply. She had many interests and excelled in a variety of creative hobbies. Over the years, she pursued additional training in the arts and developed a particular talent in painting. She also took great joy in tending her backyard garden. Joanie cherished spending time with her granddaughters and family and especially loved the Christmas season. Each year, she devoted countless hours to making the holidays magical and memorable for her loved ones.
Joanie will be dearly missed and forever loved. She was preceded in death by her parents, Jay and Marian; her sister Kathy; sister-in-law, Christy; and grandson Jack. She is survived by her husband of 39 years, Paul; their children Christina "Chrissie" (Tom) Dougherty, Alex Orchard and Ryan Orchard; granddaughters Claire (7) and Hannah (2); brother Peter Lison; sister Susie (Jim) Armstrong; and many nieces, nephews, and their children.
The celebration of her life will be held on Thursday, July 10th, at Pax Christi Catholic Community, 12100 Pioneer Trail, Eden Prairie. Visitation will be at 10 a.m. with a service at 11 a.m., followed by a luncheon. In lieu of flowers, please consider a donation to the Pediatric Blood & Marrow Research Fund:
https://makingagift.umn.edu/give/fund.html?id=12223
Joan Christine Orchard, aged 67, of Eden Prairie, passed away suddenly on June 21, 2025.
Joanie, known to her beloved granddaughters as Gigi, was born on April 24th, 1958, in Madison, Wisconsin. She was the daughter of General James (Jay) Lison and Marian Kehl, both of Green Bay. Joanie attended James Madison Memorial High Schoo