Photo courtesy of HILDEBRAND - RUSS FUNERAL HOME - Rhinelander
Jun 18, 1934 - Nov 8, 2020 (Age 86)
Kelly, Molly and Matthew and family. So very sorry for your loss. You are all in my prayers!!!
Cathleen Papineau
November 14, 2020 | RHINELANDER, WI
I got to know Joan through church when we sat together and visited her often. I so enjoyed these visits when she would show me her craft room, talk about her growing up years and talk about her children and grandchildren whom she loved so much. Her obituary was exactly who she was. I am so sad of her passing and will miss her dearly. How fortunate all of you are to have had her in your lives. My thoughts and prayers are with all of you.
Jean Bergrr
November 13, 2020 | Rhinelander, WI | Friend
Our deepest sympathy to the Waldvogel family. Joan was a wonderful Woodland Drive neighbor, Nativity Church member, and friend. Her genuine smile would brighten up a room. She will be missed. Rest in peace, Joan!
James Barnes
November 13, 2020 | Rhinelander, WI | Neighbor
Our deepest condolences to all of you! Aunt Joan has left us many memories to smile about throughout the years. I remember her chewing me a new one over throwing some aluminum foil away at Camp Susan, I never did that again and the years that followed she would look at me with that look when I touched foil and we both would laugh. These are the memories I will cherish for all of her "hard exterior" she was soft on the inside. She will be dearly missed! Scott & Jill Richardson
Jill Richardson
November 13, 2020 | Wittenberg, WI | Family
Joan has been a dear friend and neighbor for so many years. She will be deeply missed by all of us. She always decorated her house, inside and out, for every occasion. She was always willing to share her gifts and her heart was always full of love for her family and friends. Joan will remain in our hearts and minds forever.
Jan Konz
November 13, 2020 | Rhinelander, WI
Kelly, Molly, Matthew and the entire family, my heart goes out to you for your loss. May you always remember Joan as the kind little spitfire I remember. She was always pleasant to be around. I know Kelly, you will miss her so much. God will be at your side and you will always feel her love. Bless you all.
Jacqulyn Clark
November 13, 2020 | Stevens Point, WI | Friend
I'm so sorry for your loss, Kelly. I just went through this in August. Hold all of your memories close.
Janell Schroeder
November 12, 2020 | Hazelhurst, WI | Friend
Our deepest sympathy to the Waldvogel Family. Joan babysat for my boys for many years and was truly a blessing to us. She will be missed. Lisa, Steve, Tanner and Tayler Alsteen
Lisa Alsteen
November 11, 2020 | Middleton, WI | Friend
Joan A. Waldvogel
1934 ~ 2020
Age ~ 86
Joan A. Waldvogel of Rhinelander, passed away on November 8th, 2020 at a well – lived age of 86. She was born on June 18th, 1934 in Antigo, Wisconsin, one of eight children of George and Clara Steber. She married Gordon Waldvogel on May 7th, 1955 in Antigo at St. Mary’s Church.
Joan and Gordon had a full 49-year marriage as she supported him in his career with the F.W. Woolworth Company and later, as mayor of Rhinelander. She traveled with him to Michigan, Minnesota, Iowa, Colorado, Arizona and back to Wisconsin. Joan was always ready to move their family to a new place with each promotion. They also enjoyed traveling for pleasure visiting Hawaii, Germany and Israel.
Joan was blessed with the talent to help others through a sharp mind, generous spirit and nimble fingers Always handy, she could fix nearly anything including fussy babies! She was an expert seamstress expressing her love for others in this way. She sewed clothing for herself and her entire family, including Christmas wardrobes for young nieces and nephews and pajamas for her grandchildren. She made and gifted endless blankets and crafts lovingly made with Gordon and her sisters. Joan loved to cook and bake; she was famous for her vegetable and fruit trays. Joan celebrated others’ lives by rarely forgetting a birthday. They would always find her signature stick of spearmint gum taped inside their card.
She is survived by four children: Debra (Steve) Gainey, Manitowoc, Bruce (Dianne) Waldvogel, Queen Creek, AZ, Kelly Von Oepen, Rhinelander, and Anthony “Tony” Waldvogel, East Liverpool, OH; one brother, John “Jack” (Dorothy) Steber, Marathon; three sisters, Elizabeth “Jeanne” Mugavero, Wausau, Helen (Gene) Mason, Appleton and Barbara (Tom) Boettcher, Crivitz; one sister-in-law, Betty Steber; fourteen grandchildren: Patrick, Timothy, Maren Gainey and Ryanne (John) Komperda, Ashley (Anthony) Nicoloff, Joshua (Val), Bryan and Bethany Waldvogel, Lindsay Wallace (Aaron Bates), Molly and Matthew Von Oepen, and Lindsey Waldvogel, Lacey Hayward and Julie (Quinsean) Jones; thirteen great-grand- children: Emily, Hailey, Hunter, Paisley, Marshall, Olivia, Seabastian, Jackson, Thirryn, Annalise, Darien, Chase and Elliot. She was preceded in death by her husband, Gordon; an infant daughter, Angel; her parents; one brother, George “Bud” Steber; two sisters, Carol Zoern and Janet Pagel; and 2 brothers-in-law, Donald Zoern and Leonard Pagel.
Arrangements were conducted by Hildebrand Funeral Home & Cremation Specialists. The Mass of Christian Burial was celebrated on Friday, November 13th, 2020 with immediate family at Nativity of Our Lord Catholic Church with interment at St. Mary ‘s Catholic Cemetery. At the family’s request, donations may be made to the Rhinelander Area Food Pantry, The Knights of Columbus, or the Alzheimer’s Association.
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