JoAnn Marquebelle Burwick

JoAnn Marquebelle (Klahn) Burwick JoAnn died on July 10th, 2010. She was born April 15th, 1925 to Arthur and Edna Klahn. Her husband of 52 years, Richard Crites Burwick preceded her in death in 1999. She is survived by a son, David (Anne) Burwick of Grand Ledge, MI; daughter, Gay (Bill) Johnson of Lansing, MI; as well as granddaughters, Sarah (Jeremy) Jetzon of Ashfield, MA, Emily (Steve) Hammel of Grosse Pointe Woods, MI, Julie (Mike) Boruta of Lansing, MI, and grandson, Joshua Burwick of Lansing, MI. She was blessed with great-grandchildren, Andrew Hammel, Addison Boruta, Cameron Boruta and Baby Jetzon, due at the end of July. Also surviving are her sister, Mary Jane Trout of Grand Ledge, MI and nieces, Christie (Gerry Hacker) Trout of Traverse City, MI, and Laura (Wayne) Kazmer of Lansing. Moving from Lake Odessa at age 10, she resided in Lansing most of her life. She graduated from J.W. Sexton High School in 1943. After attending the University of Michigan for two years, she graduated Michigan State University as a medical technologist in 1947. Upon graduation she joined the laboratory team at the Michigan Department of Health, where she became head of the tetanus laboratory. After leaving there to raise her family, she returned several times to work in the diagnostic division. While at home, she joined several volunteer groups including the Junior League of Lansing, where she became chairman of the Thrift Shop, and worked for the Sparrow Hospital Women's Service Auxiliary. She was also president of the Beta Beta Corporation Board of the Alpha Phi Sorority and served as a Brownie Leader. After her children were raised, JoAnn obtained employment in the anatomy department at MSU. She was supervisor of all research and service technicians. In the anatomy lab, she assisted several of the department's physicians in their various research projects such as muscular dystrophy, cancer and cleft palate deformities. Most of her work was done under the tutelage of department chair, Dr. Bruce Walker. In 1972, JoAnn left the medical field and with her husband, built and operated a gift shop in Roscommon, MI. for eight years. After selling their shop, they returned to Lansing and formed a wholesale jewelry representative company. They continued this operation until retirement. JoAnn's love of her family was always her primary focus. This, along with her love of nature, good friends, music, and cats, sustained her and made her life on earth a glorious experience. A celebration of JoAnn's life will take place 1:00 p.m. Monday, July 19, at Bethel Baptist Church, 810 Edgemont, Lansing. Cremation has taken place and burial services will be private at a later date. Arrangements by Tiffany Funeral Home. Friends may visit the guest book at www.tiffanyfuneralhome.com