JoAnn Hasslen Obituary

JoAnn Hasslen, 85, of Big Stone City, SD, passed away on Thursday, May 8, 2025, in Ortonville, MN.

Memorial Services will be held on Friday, June 20, 2025, at 2:00 p.m. at First English Lutheran Church in Ortonville, MN. Rev. Cheryl Rondeau-Bassett will officiate. Visitation will be held one hour prior to the service on Friday. 

The service will be live streamed and recorded and will be viewable at the bottom of this page.

JoAnn Marilyn Hasslen was born on September 25, 1939, in Odessa, MN, to Henry and Agnes (Johnson) Roelke. She was baptized and confirmed at Zion Lutheran Church in Ortonville, MN. Jo attended school in Ortonville and graduated as Valedictorian with the Class of 1957.

On November 30, 1957, she was united in marriage to Robert Hasslen Jr. at Zion Lutheran Church in Ortonville. Over their 63 years together they lived in Minneapolis, MN, Watertown, SD, Delaware, OH, and various suburbs of the Minneapolis area. In 2001 they retired to their home on Big Stone Lake and moved into Big Stone City in 2020. Together they were blessed with three children: Robert III, Rebecca, and Stacy.

In 1967, Jo began her professional career as a Secretary, and later Executive Secretary, at General Mills. She worked there until her retirement in 2001. That same year, Jo and Bob retired to their beloved lake home in Big Stone City, SD.

Jo was a member of the Professional Secretaries Association, First English Lutheran Church in Ortonville, and the Red Hat Society. She had many hobbies and interests, including golf, bowling, vegetable gardening, sewing, knitting, and playing the piano. A devoted Minnesota sports fan, she cheered on the Vikings, Twins, and the North Stars in their day. Above all, her favorite retirement pastime was fishing, which brought her great joy and peace.

Survivors include son, Robert Hasslen, III of Dunedin, FL; daughter, Rebecca (David Clifton) Hasslen of Big Stone City, SD; son-in-law, John R. Schablin of Ortonville, MN; sisters: Kaye Peoples; and Aggie (Joe) Stueve; grandchildren: John W. Schablin; Alicea Schablin; Tyler Schablin; Simone Mainiero; Genevieve Wutzke; great-grandchildren: Skyann Schablin; Quintin Schablin; Jorell Curley; Rhiley Curley; Meadow Schablin; Dylan Schablin; Alexander Schablin; Ainsley Schablin; Maya Schablin; Hazel Schablin; Sergio Clark-Carbajal; great-great- grandsons: Zander Ziehl and Olliver Duran; many nieces, nephews and other relatives.

Jo was preceded in death by her loving husband; her daughter, Stacy; her parents; her siblings: Arlys Fawcett; Gene Roelke; and Ron Roelke.