In Memory of Joanne Hiller

Joanne Ingrid Hiller passed away on July 5, 2026 at Prairie Senior Cottages, Isanti, with her daughters by her side.  A Celebration of Life Gathering will be held from 1 – 2 PM, with a sharing time at 2 PM, Saturday, July 25th at Strike Life Tributes in Isanti.  In lieu of monetary donations or flowers, memorials are suggested to your local Animal Humane Society, a service that was dear to Joanne’s heart.

Joanne (Johanna) was born on October 11, 1937, in Poland to her parents, Erich and Helene Rietsch. In 1945, the family relocated to East Germany for several years following World War II. Joanne often shared vivid memories of the hardships and horrors she witnessed as a young girl during that time – from hiding in a cattle car while traveling, seeing the devastation left behind by war, and ultimately losing her father, who was believed to have been executed by the Soviet Union in 1949.

In 1956, at the age of 19, Joanne immigrated to the United States with her mother and brother, Manfred, through the sponsorship of Ebenezer Church in Minnesota. Soon after arriving, she began working as a caregiver at Ebenezer Care Center.

Joanne later moved to southern Minnesota, where she worked at the Mayo Clinic as a Surgical Technician and interpreter, utilizing her ability to speak multiple languages. During this time, she also worked alongside a well-known horse trainer, further developing the deep love and natural talent for horses that would remain central throughout her life.

She met Lyle Shearer and married him in 1958. They had their daughter Christine in 1967 but soon separated. Joanne soon moved back to the cities as a single mom and met her now husband Donald, and they had their daughter Erika.

Joanne’s passion for horses shaped much of her life. While living on a small farm in Brooklyn Park, she began training horses and rescuing neglected horses in need of care. Later, Joanne and Don built a home in St. Francis, where she fulfilled her dream of owning a horse ranch. There, she became an accomplished Quarter Horse trainer, breeder, and respected competitor on the western horse circuit. Joanne and Don were early members of the Double Bit Riders Saddle Club, and she took immense pride in her contributions to the Quarter Horse community.

Joanne went back to outside work in 1986, when she obtained her Nursing Assistant license and worked at Park River Estates Care Center, until she was into her seventies, while still keeping up with the horses and the farm. She had many great years as a caregiver and made many long-time and wonderfully supportive friends both at work and with the Quarter horse community.

Joanne had many tough times that she rose above in her life. She fought for what she loved and was known for helping others whenever they needed. She knew hard work and liked being able to outwork just about any man on the planet. She was a skilled Ferrier, western painter, caregiver and perfectionist in anything she sought to accomplish. Her family, including her husband, brother, daughters and spouses and grandchildren, find comfort in imagining her reunited with her parents, dear friends, and beloved horses – riding freely into the greenest pastures and possibly a golf course or two.