M argaret "Joan" Gillen, 88, of White River, SD passed away on Friday, December 18th, 2020 at the Good Samaritan Society in Rapid City.  Funeral will be held on Monday, December 28, 2020 at 11:00am at the White River Catholic Hall in White River, SD.  Burial will follow in the White River Cemetery.  A visitation will be held one hour prior to funeral service.

Joan was born in White River on June 27th, 1932.  She lived in White River her entire life with family and friends.  Joan graduated from WRHS on May 19th, 1950.  After graduation Joan worked as a local telephone switchboard operator.

On April 26th, 1952 Joan married her beloved Matt Gillen at the Sacred Heart Church in White River.  The two were soon blessed with three boys: Dennis, Donald, and Doug.  Joan spent the early years with their young family looking after the boys and enjoying her time at home.  When she could find the spare time she and Matt enjoyed taking the boys camping and fishing; Joan especially like fishing for bullheads, playing bridge with friends, and making quilts, afghans, and blankets with Matt and her mother Rose.  Joan was also very proud of the family owned gas station, and she always made sure that Matt had enough tea to stay cool during the hot South Dakota Summers.

When the boys were in school, Joan re-entered the workforce, working part time at the local Ranchland Drug.  Later, she would begin a career at the Postal Service in White River.  Starting as a postal clerk, and later advancing to Postmaster, Joan would enjoy her career with the Postal Service for over 20 years before retiring to spend more time with Matt and her growing family.

In between raising a family, being a supportive wife, and her service at the Postal Service, Joan spent many years with the Mellette County EMT as an ambulance attendant.  Joan was also active with the Catholic Church and Altar Society and she was well known for making her gravy at the Catholic Fall Bazaar.

In their later years together Joan and Matt enjoyed watching their grandchildren grow up, compete in sports as well as other extracurricular activities, and hosting family get-togethers.  Joan always cherished any excuse to spend time with her sons and their families.  The two of them also enjoyed traveling with friends and family, and together they took many trips across the United States and abroad.  Some of their fondest memories were their travels through Europe.  Despite their many travels White River was always home for Joan and Matt.

Joan was preceded in death by her late husband Matt Gillen, mother Rose Barton and father Max Barton.  Joan is celebrated in life by Dennis Gillen (Collene) of Black Hawk, SD; Donald Gillen of Cedar Rapids, IA; and Doug Gillen (Shelia) of White River, SD;  as well as grandchildren  Dean, Dori, Derika, Martin, Christina, Michael, Michelle, Daniel, Alicia, Tylor, Sami, Maci, Mathew, Emily, 19 great-grandchildren, and the many other family and friends Joan cherished.