Joan Yvonne (Grignon) Waukau, 81, died peacefully on June 18, 2015, surrounded by the love of God and her family. She was born in Keshena on Jan. 19, 1934, to the late Jerome and Sunday (Tourtillott) Grignon.
No matter where she resided, Neopit was always her home. She spent the last years of her life at the Maple Lane Nursing Home in Shawano. Joan attended St. Anthony Catholic School in Neopit and was a graduate of Shawano High School. She was united in marriage to the late Orman Waukau Sr. in 1951. Joan dedicated her life to her family and enjoyed music, sports and a fish fry any day of the week. She loved her grandchildren dearly and each of them held a special place in her heart. Joan taught by example and showed us how to be strong, kind, loving and faithful to God. She shared these virtues with her entire family and all who knew her including her caregivers.
Joan was a member of St. Anthony Catholic Church and the Schoenstatt Society.
She is survived by her children, Orman Jr., Duane (Mary), Karen, Jerry Sr. (Susan), Fay (Richard) Annamitta, Pamela (Pershing) Frechette, Wendell Sr. (Lori), Sharon, Wade (Myrna), and Patti Burr; her grandchildren, Carrie (Craig Sr.), Steve (Nanette), Nicole (Matt), Pamela (Stewart), Orman III, Michael, Yvonne (Brian), Bryan, Gary (Katie), Maniyan (Becky), Sasanehsaeh, Jerry Jr. SSG (Louise), Alan, Kristin (Vinny), Joseph, Maria (Dillon), Appolonia, Robert (Sharlene), Michelle (Mark), Aaron (Starra), Richard Jr., Brandon (Raquel), Kaycee, Joan, Antonette, Wendell Jr., Karah, Wade Jr. and Katie; her great-grandchildren, Craig Jr., Sharissa, Cecelia, Tony, Tino, Joetta, Jaryd, Rael, Katelyn, Caleb, Priscilla, Jaymin, Brayen. Meshaen, Kenehsaeh, Ashley, Tahnee, Thomas, Manih Rose, Tia Rain, Olivia, Christian, Leyla, Vanessa Joan, Taylor, Lloyd, Urijah, Cassius, Miles, Miley, Hunter, Willow, Mequon, Dillon, Norman, Shaye, Angel, Aaron Jr., Koda, Cassius, Caleb, Calvin, Jace; her siblings; Constance Waupoose, Guy Grignon, Sharon Waupoose, Jerilyn Grignon, Robert (Arleen) Grignon, Dana Grignon, and Mary Claire Grignon. She is further survived by her godchildren, Nan Corn, Sonny Waupoose, Lori Jean Waukau, as well as numerous nieces and nephews, family and friends.
She was preceded in death by siblings; James, Jerome, Michelle, Carol, Stanley, Arlene; brothers-in-law and sisters-in-law, Phillip, Irwin, Mary Pat, Marilyn; and her godparents, Bernard “Chub” Grignon and Mildred Funk.
A funeral service will be held at 11 a.m. Monday, June 22, 2015, at St. Anthony Catholic Church with the Rev. David McElroy, O.Praem, officiating. Visitation will be held at the Pam “Hootsie” and Pershing “Sport” Frechette residence, N3456 White Ave., Neopit, on Saturday, June 20, 2015, from 1 p.m. until the procession leaves for the church on Monday. A parish wake service will be held at the Frechette residence at 8 p.m. Sunday.
Swedberg Funeral Home of Shawano is assisting the family with the arrangements.
She was the graceful matriarch who strengthened her family through love and kindness and will be missed by all who knew her.
www.swedbergfuneralhome.com
