Joanne Suszek

1925 - 2012

Joanne Suszek, (nee Dracopoulos) age 86, passed away Friday, January 13, 2012.

Joanne was born on March 26, 1925 to Themistocles and Maria Kakavas Dracopoulos. Joanne immigrated to the United States at age 3. She graduated from Milwaukee's Rufus King High School in 1943 and married the late Bernard J. Suszek, Jr. in 1947; they lived, worked and raised a family together in Milwaukee. She was a government defense inspector and owned her own realty business. They decided to leave the city and purchased a campground near Greenbush in the North Kettle Moraine. It became the first Jellystone Park franchise in the U.S. She later changed the name of the business to Westward Ho Camp Resort, a western themed, family campground. Next to her family, the campground was her pride and joy. Joanne operated the campground for 32 years with hard work and love, building a top-rated business with a glowing reputation, until retiring in Two Rivers near her daughter. After retirement she enjoyed volunteering at the Two Rivers History Museum and Aurora Hospital. She loved gardening, animals and spending time outdoors. Her cat, Sami, was with her for nearly 20 years. Joanne loved to travel and made several trips to Europe, including her native Greece, Australia, Spain, Puerto Rico and Hawaii, to name a few. She especially loved spending time with her family, always hosting the Christmas dinner.

Joanne is survived by three children: Richard (Donna) Suszek of Brandon, WI; Thomas (Patricia) Suszek of Oshkosh, WI; Mary (Brian) McLean of Two Rivers, WI. She is also survived by six grandchildren: Andrea (Tim) Rahm, Sheboygan, WI; Stephanie Suszek (fiance' Derrick Kroener), Fond du Lac, WI; Michael (Megan) McLean, O'Fallon, MO; Eric (Cari) McLean, Port Washington, WI: Steve (Ashley) McLean, Two Rivers, WI and Lindsey McLean, Two Rivers, WI; four great-grandchildren, Charles Payne, Ava, Emmalyn and Jaxon McLean; one sister, Aspasia Knoerr, Durham, NC; one brother, George(Pat) Draelos, Milwaukee, WI. She is further survived by many nieces, nephews, family and friends. Joanne was preceded in death by her husband Bernard J. Suszek, Jr.; one brother, Theodore Draelos.

Visitation will be held Thursday, January 19, 2012 from 4 PM until 8 PM at Uecker-Witt Funeral Home in Fond du Lac, WI. Visitation will also be held Friday January 20, 2012 at Holy Family Catholic Church, 271 Fourth Street Way, Fond du Lac, WI. from 9 AM until 10 AM with a Mass to follow. Burial will follow at Our Lady of Angels Cemetery in Armstrong, WI.

In lieu of flowers, the family is requesting that donations be made out to The Wisconsin Alzheimer's Institute.

Uecker-Witt Funeral Home is in charge of arrangements. Additional information and guestbook may be found at www.ueckerwitt.com.