Fargo, ND - Joan Mahlen was born in 1945, and grew up on a farm near Wilmot, SD. For her last two years of high school, the family moved to Watertown, SD, and Joan was in full rebellious mode having moved from the farm to the "city." After graduation and some wild adventures with friends, Joan settled back in Watertown and studied to become a dental technician, and waitressed on the side. A frequent and favorite customer ended up being the person who would change her life forever, her soon-to-be husband, Dennis Mahlen. Joan and Dennis were married in Watertown in 1967, and lived in Minneapolis where they had two children, Steve and Nancy.

The family moved to Webster, SD, in 1976 where Dennis and Joan bought a tire store, and Joan explored her love of sewing, arts, and crafts. She painted on everything - saws, mufflers, oil cans, canvas, wooden pieces, restored trunks, cream cans, toilet seats, cars, her two trikes, and a cutter sleigh! Joan and Dennis went different directions after the kids graduated and moved out, and Joan moved to Rapid City, SD, where her love of motorcycles and trikes became a reality. And although these were some of Joan's best times - often referred to even in her deepest dementia states - these were also some of the most troubling times for her. Moving to Las Vegas in 2003 to be closer to family and attending AA meetings was the answer that saved her. Ultimately, Joan made it back to the Midwest, living her final years in Fargo closer to her children and grandchildren. She passed away peacefully on January 17, 2025, in Fargo, shortly following her 80th birthday. Joan is survived by her son Steve Mahlen and grandson Jacob, by her daughter Nancy Mahlen, son-in-law Ben Laabs and grandson Caleb, by her ex-husband Dennis Mahlen, by her niece Teri Bassett, her niece Penny Fife, nephew-in-law Brian Fife, grandniece Chariane, and grandnephews Brandon, Brad, Brady, Alec (A.J.), and Carter. Joan was preceded in death by her brother Keith Bassett and niece Renee Bassett, both of Las Vegas. A Celebration of Life for Joan Mahlen will be held June 7, 2025, in Webster, S.D., at Roots Kitchen and Taproom from 1pm-3pm (for more details see https://www.creativelyJoan.org). In lieu of flowers, please consider donating to Joan's favorite charity, the Wounded Warrior Project www.woundedwarriorproject.org.