Joan Mary Phillips

Joan (O’Herin) Phillips (also known as JoAnn)

Joan Phillips, originally of Mankato, MN, died in Golden Valley, MN on February 4, 2026, surrounded by family. 

Mass will be held at 11 am on Saturday, March 7, 2026 at St. John the Baptist Catholic Church in Mankato with visitation at the Church one hour prior. Burial will take place later at Fort Snelling National Cemetery in Minneapolis. 

Joan was born on November 9, 1940 to Dan and Carol (Johnson) O’Herin in Blue Earth County. She graduated from St. Clair High School in 1958.

On October 5, 1959, Joan (JoAnn) O’Herin and Paul (“Pete”) Phillips married at Immaculate Conception Church in St. Clair, MN. Joan was a loving wife and mother, raising their children, Craig and Traci. In addition, she worked as a beautician, bank teller, and in local department stores through the years.

Joan and Pete made their home in various locations throughout their marriage, spending 12 years in Mankato, followed by 10 years in Eau Claire, WI and 11 years in the Twin Cities area. After retiring, they moved back to the Mankato area for five years. In 2000, they moved to the Sun City Grand retirement community in Surprise, AZ before moving back to what would always be home, Mankato, in 2007. Joan and Pete were active members of Holy Rosary and later St. John the Baptist Catholic Churches for several years. Joan enjoyed traveling, volunteering and most importantly, spending time with family.

Joan is survived by her son, Craig Phillips (Star Reuter) of Brooklyn Center, MN, and daughter, Traci Phillips (Scott Sands) of Huntley, IL; a grandson, George Bierman, of Brooklyn Center, MN; a sister, Patricia Zumwalt, of St. James, MN; sisters-in-law, Delores (“Dee”) O’Herin of Mankato, MN, Clarice Germo of Mapleton, MN, Mary Wolff of Madison Lake, MN, Carol Webb of Lake Crystal, MN, and Audrey Varpness of Worthington, MN; and many nieces and nephews. Joan was preceded in death by her parents; husband Paul “Pete” Phillips; and brothers, Bob, Tom, and Mike O’Herin.

The family kindly requests that in lieu of flowers, those who wish to remember Joan, consider making contributions in her honor to the Alzheimer’s Foundation of America, Catholic Charities, or St. John the Baptist Catholic Church of Mankato.