JoAnne Rose Flowers

JoAnne Rose Flowers of Madison, Wis., and Beaufort, S.C., died in the comfort of love and family, in Bloomington, Ind., on September 2, 2025, at the age of 94.

Our mom, JoAnne, was born in Superior, Wis., on May 24, 1931, to Frank and Verna Mayersak. She graduated as the salutatorian of Superior Cathedral High School and went on to graduate from the University of Wisconsin-Madison in 1953 with a degree in biology, chemistry and education after a short time at Marquette University in Milwaukee, Wis. She would become a lifelong student, being a prolific reader, learning several languages and remaining ever curious.

She met our dad, Rockne, on a blind date at the UW. Once asked why he liked her, he said, "She was peppy." They married on January 3, 1953. She taught science at Edgewood High School in Madison for two years, then they started a family.

Her love language was baking and cooking and she will be remembered for her poppyseed, cottage cheese, and nut Kolache' (which she learned from her Slovac grandmother), and also her generous tins of cookies. She threw many dinner parties for dad's business dealings and they both enjoyed years of potlucks and ice cream parties with their numerous friends. In Beaufort, they enjoyed bridge games, long rich friendships, and many family gatherings.

Traveling was a big part of their life and it enriched ours. Mom was a huge fan of Frank Sinatra and took the words of his song "My Way" to heart. Full of knowledge and a force, she will be missed.

JoAnne is survived by her four children, George (Paula) Flowers, Chris (Loida) Flowers, Veronica Flowers and Roxanne (Allison) Flowers; and special rascal, Roscoe. Also surviving her are her 13 grandchildren, Kristen, Brant, Emily, Rockne, Clark, Ryan, Adriana, Christian, Cesear, Carmen, Shannon, Will and Danielle; nine great-grandchildren, August, Jack, Ezra, Fulton, Jude, Grace, Luke, Rowan and Cora; sister, Rozelle Meyer; nephew, Steven (Judy) Lukenbach; niece, Kathryn Lukenbach; and cousins, Jerry (Priscilla) Mayersak and Joe (Diane) Mayersak. She was preceded in death by her husband of 71 years, Rockne; her third child, Rockne; and her parents, Frank and Verna (Bugel) Mayersak.

A Mass of Christian Burial will be held at OUR LADY QUEEN OF PEACE CATHOLIC CHURCH, 401 S. Owen Drive, Madison, at 12 noon on Friday, September 12, 2025, with Father Jay Poster presiding. A visitation will be held at the church from 10 a.m. until the time of the Mass, with a Rosary being recited at 11 a.m. A private burial will be held at Oak Hill Cemetery.

We would like to thank her loving caregivers, Jordan, Jill, Shelby, Lisa, Levi, and Southern Indiana Home Care, along with her caregivers from Home Sweet Home Caregivers in Rice Lake, Wis.

In lieu of flowers, memorials may be made to Edgewood High School. Online condolences may be made at www.gundersonfh.com.

Gunderson West

Funeral & Cremation Care

7435 University Ave.

(608) 831-6761