Joanne D. Werner

 

Joanne Werner passed away on Saturday, August 12, 2023, into the loving arms of her Heavenly Father.

Joanne was 93 at the time of her passing. Born March 27, 1930, Joanne was one of four children born to John and Dorothy Oestreicher (Padesky) in La Crosse, WI. After high school, Joanne completed a degree in Nursing at St. Francis School of Nursing in La Crosse, WI. After college Joanne’s work took her to Madison to work at UW hospital. It was there she met her husband of 59 years, Dr. David A. Werner.

While David served in the US Navy the two lived in Eugene, OR and Alexandria, VA before settling in Sheboygan to raise nine children.

Joanne, or Josie, as she was known to some, was a devoted Catholic and a member of Holy Name Parish for many years. She was a dedicated, loving, gentle mother and wife. She managed a busy house and found time to spend hours poolside watching over her children and their friends in the family pool.

It was only well after her children had flourished; she was ready to do her own thing. She took up swimming at the YMCA and traveled to all the places she wanted to see, including Russia. She could talk for hours about history and remembered fine details that even made a museum docent blush! Joanne was a voracious reader, and a beautiful gardener tweaking her glorious flower garden every year.

Joanne loved to keep up on Facebook with all the happenings of her children and grandchildren. She was always sure to tell you to send pictures so she could see where you had been and what you were doing.

The later years were filled with stories of her youth, of the chaos of her nine children and stories from those nine she didn’t always care to hear.

We had laughs up until her final days and were blessed to have Joanne as our mother. She was gracious, loving and a beautiful soul.

Surviving Joanne are her nine children, Steve (Elizabeth) Werner, Paul (Joni) Werner, David II (Lynn) Werner, Mary Werner, Jane Werner, Therese (John) Belanger, Kurt Werner, Brian Werner, and Ellen (Steve) Senkbeil; a brother Tom Oestreicher; 23 grandchildren, Allison (Ben) Listerman, Kathryn (Tom) Dinolfo, Anne Werner, Margaret (Mobolaji) Davies, Christine Werner, Sara Werner, Lisa (Jared) Deli, William Werner, Rebecca (Patrick) Bennett, David Werner III, Laura (Adam) Dillman, Michelle Hayward, Matthew Belanger, Charles Belanger, Meghan Belanger, Fred Werner, Grace Werner, Gus Werner, Ana Werner, Ted (Tia) Werner, Ben Werner, Faith Senkbeil (Boris Ristivojevic), and Diane (Mitch Meyer) Senkbeil; ten great-grandchildren; she is further survived by Sr. Mary Ellen Werner O.P. and many nieces and nephews.

Joanne was preceded in death by her parents; her husband David; a brother John Oestreicher; a sister Jennette and her niece Beth Steffen.

A Memorial Mass for Joanne will take place at NOON on Friday, August 18, 2023, at Holy Name Catholic Church, 818 Huron Ave. in Sheboygan, with Father Norberto Sandoval officiating. Family will greet visitors at the church on Friday from 10:00 AM until the time of mass. Joanne will be laid to rest at Calvary Cemetery.

In lieu of flowers, please gift in memory of Joanne to the Mead Public Library.

The family would like to thank Dr. Bettag and Sharon S. Richardson Community Hospice for the excellent care given to Joanne. They would also like to thank Jane Werner for her dedicated care to Joanne over the past years.