Joan M. Wilkinson, 68, of Tigerton, passed away Thursday, Jan. 29, 2015, at her home.
The former Joan Marie Griepentrog was born in Whitcomb, town of Wittenberg, Shawano County, to Everald and Selma (Kauffman) Griepentrog. In 1964, she graduated from Tigerton High School and then started working as a secretary for Aid Association for Lutherans in Appleton. After a few years at AAL, she returned home to Tigerton. Joanie was employed for several years with the Head Start Program in Wittenberg as the center director. In March 1977, she was united in marriage to George G. Wilkinson at Zion Lutheran Church, Tigerton. After marriage she held some part-time jobs but mostly just enjoyed simply being a homemaker. Joanie helped out at the Tigerton Senior Center for over 10 years and also volunteered as a board member there. Furthermore, she dedicated eight years of her time as treasurer to the village of Tigerton. Her husband, George, preceded her in death on May 1, 1991.
From 1993 to 1998, she owned and operated the Vets Club in Tigerton. After Joanie sold the tavern, she started Hometown Café in Tigerton, which she ran until 2003. She was a member of Immanuel Lutheran Church, town of Morris, and was instrumental in getting the breakfast fellowship at church going. Joanie was proud to be a Ladies Auxiliary member with the Tigerton American Legion and served as the District 8 president. In her younger years, she liked playing softball and bowling on a local league. Joanie’s other interests included knitting, crocheting, sewing and quilting. She enjoyed working in her vegetable and flower gardens and cooking and baking. Joanie created delicious baked goods and even made wedding cakes for folks in the area. She loved to travel and went on wonderful trips to Branson, Las Vegas or just up north to relax in Minocqua. Joanie worked hard for most of her life but always made time for her family, to sing in the choir, to listen to music, or dance to a good polka or waltz.
Survivors include her special friend, Tom Gauthier; her dear mother, Selma Griepentrog-Neubauer; and two children, Kevin (friend Carrie Crane) Griepentrog and Shelley Wilkinson, all of Tigerton. There are five grandchildren, William Griepentrog, Anna Wilkinson, Dylan Wilkinson, Desiree Wilkinson and Steven Summers. There are six stepchildren, Joanne (David) Lick, Jill (Mark) Wendt, Jody (Robert) Neuman, Jeff (Paula) Wilkinson, Mike Gauthier and Nancy (Travis) Watters. There is one great-grandson, Draiman Lilja, 19 stepgrandchildren, and eight great-stepgrandchildren. She is further survived by two sisters, Evelyn (Robert) Frank, of Las Vegas, and Barbara (Everette) Spiegel, of Tigerton, and many other relatives and friends.
Joanie was preceded in death by her father, Everald; her stepfather, Elmer Neubauer; her husband, George; and a grandson, Kevin Griepentrog; stepsons, John Wilkinson and John Gauthier; and a good friend, Truman Olson.
Funeral services will be held on Monday, Feb. 2, at 11 a.m. at Immanuel Lutheran Church, town of Morris. Pastor John Hielsberg will officiate, and burial will follow at Union Cemetery, Tigerton. Friends may call on Sunday from 4-8 p.m. at the Beil-Didier Funeral Home, Tigerton, and on Monday from 10 a.m. until the time of service at the church.
In lieu of flowers, memorials are preferred to the Wilkinson family to support the homeless veterans.
The family wishes to especially thank all the nurses with Theda Care at Home Hospice, especially RN Nancy, for the excellent care and compassion given to Joanie.
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