Joan Freudenberger

February 7, 1936 - April 17, 2023

Mrs. Joan Angela Freudenberger passed away on April 17, 2023, at the age of 87 in Rancho Bernardo, CA. Her beloved husband of 57 years, Dr. Sherley Freudenberger, predeceased her in 2015; her older brother, Gene, also predeceased her in 2022. She is survived by her children (Dave, Tim, Susie, and Sherry), grandchildren (Megan, Matt, Sam, Molly, Jared, and Caden), and brothers (John, Mike, and Tim) and sister (Connie) and their families.

Joan was born on February 7, 1936, in Mankato, Minnesota, and raised there, too. In her younger years, she played in piano recitals and was the regional spelling champ. She attended Holy Cross Central School of Nursing, graduating in 1957. She then worked as an RN at Cincinnati Children’s Hospital, where she met her future husband, Sherl.

Joan and Sherl moved to Downey, CA, in 1958, where Sherl practiced as a pediatrician specializing in allergies at Gallatin Medical Group for 35 years. After moving to Downey, Joan ended her nursing career to focus on raising their family. While in Downey, Joan was actively involved in community service, serving as president and in other capacities at many organizations. She worked on the PTA of Our Lady of Perpetual Help (OLPH), where all four children attended elementary school, on the Booster Club of Downey High School, where their kids also attended, on the Women’s Guild, and on the Assistance League. Joan and Sherl also gave generously to numerous charitable causes during their lifetimes, in addition to establishing scholarship funds for the students of OLPH and Downey High.

Joan and Sherl moved to Rancho Bernardo, CA, when they retired, where Joan spent the last 30 years of her life making new friends and enjoying the San Diego area. Joan loved games and competition, both playing and watching. She could be found sitting at a bridge table, hovering over a Scrabble board, and cashing in at casinos around the world. She was an avid fan of all the sports teams in San Diego, but there will forever be a place in her heart for the Fighting Irish.

We love and miss you, Mom, Grandma, Sister, and Aunt. May you always have a slot machine handle in one hand, a Fresca in the other, and a Scrabble tile that gives you the perfect Triple Word Score!

A Mass and Celebration of Life will be held in Rancho Bernardo, CA, on June 9 and in Mankato, MN, on June 23.