Joan Henthorne

1946 - 2025

Joan Lynn Henthorne, beloved mother, grandmother, great-grandmother and educator, passed away unexpectedly at age 79 on November 14, 2025, in Gilbert, Arizona.

Born on July 30, 1946, Joan was a graduate of La Crosse Central High School and earned a Bachelor of Science and a Master of Science in Education degrees from the University of Wisconsin-La Crosse, while simultaneously raising two sons as a single mom. She started her career teaching Social Studies at Lincoln Junior High, the very school she once attended. She transitioned to the role of Reading Specialist at Lincoln where she found her passion. Her dedication to her students earned her the Middle School Specialist Teacher of the Year award in 1984. In 2003, after 31 years in education, Joan retired, but not for long as she soon moved into a role as an undergraduate academic advisor at Viterbo University which culminated in 2015 when she was named an Outstanding Academic Advisor.

In 2016, she left the only home she had known and moved to Phoenix to spend more time with her family. She enjoyed traveling, from the beaches of Hawaii to wine country in France and Italy. Her faith was a guiding force, and she enjoyed her years of service with the Christ Episcopal Church's Altar Guild.

Joan is lovingly remembered by her sons, David (with wife Katy) and Kevin; her cherished grandchildren Bethany, Leah, Megan, Nicole, Valerie, and Braden - and her great-grandchildren Oakley and Cain. She is also survived by her sister Nancy and half-sister Kris Parent (Jan). She was preceded in death by her parents, Gertrude Bartlett and Douglas Bartlett.

Joan's kindness, wisdom, and unwavering support will be deeply missed and fondly remembered by all whose lives she touched.

A visitation will be held at 10:00 a.m. followed by a funeral service (livestream available at www.ceclax.org) at 11:00 a.m. on Saturday, December 13, 2025, at Christ Episcopal Church, located at 111 N 9th St (Ninth and Main), La Crosse, WI 54601.