Joan Evelyn (Degen) Briggs passed away peacefully in her sleep Wednesday October 1, 2025. Celebration of life will take place Monday, October 6 at 1:00pm Mass will be held at St. Teresa of Avila in Beresford, SD.
Joan was born August 14, 1932 in Ethan SD to Joe & Jessie (McBrayer) Degen. Joan attended Notre Dame Catholic School in Mitchell SD. She met her love, Thomas Briggs in 1948 while both were working at the Time Theater in Mitchell, SD. They were married December 28, 1950 in Mitchell where Tom received his Bachelor of Education, while Joan was busy raising their children. They continued with his teaching career and further education moving to Turton SD, Pickstown SD, Branson CO, and then Hinton, IA. Joan went on to LeMars Beauty College in LeMars, IA, and started her own salon at their home in Hinton for ten years. In 1978 they purchased The Village Bowl and moved to Alcester, SD in 1981 where they ran the bowling alley/bar until retirement in 2004.
Joan enjoyed dancing, playing bridge with friends, taking family trips and spending as much time with her family as she could. She loved going on walks and caring for her flowering plants as well as watching the birds from her kitchen window too.
Joan will be forever in the hearts of her children Deborah Stack of Jackson MN, Thomas Jr. (Joey) Briggs of Sioux City, IA, Dana Briggs of Hawarden, IA and Lisa (Scott) Pageler of LeMars, IA along with 9 Grandchildren, 23 Great Grandchildren and 4 Great Great Grandchildren. Joan is also survived by a sister-in-law Vivian Hoffman and a brother-in-law Grant (Gaylene) Briggs.