Joan Carol McBride

Joan Carol McBride, age 85 of Minneapolis, Minnesota, passed on Friday, September 11, 2026. Joan led a remarkable life. She grew up on a hog farm in Charter Oak, Iowa and loved telling stories from those years — taming farm and wild animals alike, playing high school basketball, and playing trumpet in the marching band.

At Iowa State, Joan studied journalism, launching a phenomenal career in corporate marketing and investor relations at 3M. If you're a woman under 60 with a corporate management career, you can thank women like Joan, who fought the pay inequity and discrimination of the 1970s, when females in management were scarce. Her impact was recognized in a mid-1980s Corporate Report feature on the women reshaping Minnesota's management teams. This example instilled a deep sense of independence and resilience in her daughter, daughter’s friends, and granddaughters.

Joan's career took her around the world, and during her first trip to Japan she fell in love with Asian culture, architecture, and art — a passion she pursued for the rest of her life, traveling throughout Asia and the world, building a cherished collection of antiques along the way.

There was never a dull moment with Joan. She lit up every room with class, warmth, impeccable style and genuine curiosity about people from all walks of life — along with an endearing sense of humor. But her proudest role was being "GJ," a super-cool, doting grandma to Carmen and Chloe. They'll always remember her handmade art cards, sleepovers full of chocolate, and her endless pride in whatever they cared about.

She is survived by her daughter, Christine (McConnell) McLaren, and granddaughters, Carmen and Chloe. Preceded in death by parents, Earl and Carmen Keim, and brother, Larry Keim.

A private celebration of life will be held soon. The family extends heartfelt thanks to the caregivers of Waters on 50th for their kindness, care and support. In lieu of flowers, please consider donating to a local animal shelter.