Joann Klink

Joann Marie Klink (Schilling), age 86, passed from earthly life on January 28 at the Classic at Hillcrest Greens, in Altoona, WI, surrounded by loving family and friends.

Joann was born in Upper Sandusky, OH on November 24, 1938, to Ernest and Hazel Schilling. She grew up in the small town with her three siblings, Ruth, Margaret, and Robert, where she helped work the farm as a young girl. Joann graduated high school and then attended Otterbein University in Westerville, OH.

Joann met Joel Klink while she was in high school, and went on to marry him on June 21, 1959, at the little white church in Upper Sandusky. In 1963, Joel took a teaching job at the University of Wisconsin at Eau Claire, where the two ended up relocating, and starting a new chapter in their lives.

It was in Wisconsin that Joann and Joel adopted two children: a son, Brian in 1965 and a daughter, Cara in 1970.

Joann stayed home with the children raising them for many years, and working as the director of religious education at the First Congregational United Church of Christ in Eau Claire. In 1984, Joann graduated from the United Theological Seminary of the Twin Cities, earning a master of arts in religious studies. Upon graduation she took a job as a minister in Nekoosa, WI.

Joann had a strong love for nature and would spend much of her time outdoors, developing expansive landscaping at her home, including wild grasses, bird feeders, and her limitless arrays of flowers and blooming trees. Joann created an outdoor garden which reflected her talent for growing and nurturing plants and flowers. Incorporated into that connection to nature, Joann also had a deep spirituality that flowed into almost every part of her life.

She used that spirituality in her home life in the way she formed relationships and loved her family. She would extend that into her community with the groups she was active in and the changes she strived to make in her community. Joann was instrumental in spearheading the development of the labyrinth which is currently in Phoenix Park in downtown Eau Claire. She spent countless hours meeting and planning the design, and finding funding and contractors to make that dream come to fruition.

Joann also enacted changes in the church for causes she felt passionate about. She helped push through a change to the hymnals to include more progressive language. Expressing her passion for human rights and social justice, she volunteered in numerous groups in the church and contributed her time and wisdom to making continuous improvements for women and minorities.

After moving to the Classic, Joann became involved in the "Center," a retreat area located next door.

Here she participated in soul dancing with several women from the community. Joann also loved to paint; she created many pieces of art through watercolor and acrylic paints that her family and friends still enjoy today.

Joann was preceded in death by her mother and father; her husband, Joel; her sister, Ruth; and her brother, Bob.

Survivors include her son, Brian (Amy); daughter, Cara; grandchildren, Alex (Liz), Amanda (Zac), Anna, Dane and Madeline (Gabe); great-grandsons, Jayden, Grant, and Wiley; and sister, Margaret.

A service is being held on April 23 at 3 p.m. at the First Congregational United Church of Christ in Eau Claire. Memorials can be sent to the church at 310 Broadway St., Eau Claire, WI 54703.

Lenmark-Gomsrud Funeral and Cremation Services is assisting the family with arrangements. For online condolences, please visit lenmarkfh.com.