Joanie Elizabeth Tool

Joanie Elizabeth Tool, of Hudson, Wisconsin, passed away on January 21, 2026, at age 52.

Joan Penn was born April 10, 1973 in Silver Spring, Maryland, to Marilyn and David Penn. The family moved to Sun Prairie, Wisconsin, where Joanie made many dear friends and was, from an early age, a principled champion of fairness and peace.

Joanie's first best friend was her sister, Ann. The girls would walk hand-in-hand on a bucolic route to elementary school that included a path through the woods, a rickety bridge across a creek, and a big finish up-and-over a sledding hill. On the way, Joanie would teach Ann about poison sumac, how to verbally disarm bullies, and at least one new word a day, as she was a voracious reader.

At school, Joanie excelled in every classroom, and built year upon year of accomplishments, awards, and the highest respect from her teachers and peers alike. She was the student the teachers asked to babysit for them on weekends. Joanie represented Sun Prairie High School at Badger Girls State, State Honors Band, State tournaments in forensics and golf, and much more. She was also one of the youngest people working in Democratic campaign offices, inspired by the power of grassroots activism. Her sister, Ann, cheered her on at every step, almost as enthusiastically as Joanie cheered on Ann.



Joanie was a lifelong devoted Badger. She spent her undergrad years at the University of Wisconsin-Madison on a music scholarship, continuing her academic excellence with Phi Beta Kappa honors. Her talented bassoon-playing kept her active in the University School of Music and the Wisconsin Chamber Orchestra. She reveled in adventures with her dear roommates Rachel, Isa, Lara and Wendy.

She completed her graduate studies at the University of Minnesota in Minneapolis, where she met Tracy Tool for a first date at a coffee shop. When he asked what kind of coffee she wanted, she insisted on Diet Pepsi instead. Together they soon collected enough Pepsi points (not only from their own cans and bottles, but from amassing stacks of paper cups out of the trash at movie theaters) to buy her a black leather jacket bearing the Pepsi logo.

Joanie and Tracy married in 1997 in St. Paul's Irvine Park on a warm, sunny October Saturday. They lived on Grand Avenue in St. Paul and later moved to River Falls and Hudson, Wisconsin. Eliza Leigh Tool was born in 2002. Joanie led Tracy to many concerts, including countless performances of favorites like Shawn Colvin, Brandi Carlile and, especially, Marc Cohn.

Joanie worked in the School of Public Health at the University of Minnesota, where she also served two terms as a member of the University Staff/Faculty Senate.

Joanie's dedication to social justice and peace made her a fixture at local political rallies and marches. She was a vigorous chair of the Pierce County Democrats in Wisconsin.

Her deepest joy and pride revolved around Eliza, i.e. "Leigh-Leigh," who started peace-marching in a stroller pushed by her mom. The pair tromped up and down the streets of River Falls carrying declarations of peace like "War is not the Answer." Joanie taught Eliza the importance of kindness, and the responsibility we all have to advocate for equality.

Eliza loved watching her mom sway to folk music in front of a big black stereo in their living room. Joanie avidly discussed life with her daughter, shared "midnight snacks," and acquired knick-knacks while thrifting. Eliza joined Joanie for County Dem meetings, trips to the co-op for raisins, games of scrabble (Joanie was a scrabble champion), and episodes of American Idol where they always laughed at the overdramatic outro song. Joanie instilled a love of music and learning in Eliza. Inspired by her mom, Eliza also graduated from UW-Madison where she spent four years in the Wisconsin Marching Band.

Joanie cultivated many friendships, in-person and online. Her passions beyond music, social justice and UW-Madison included tulips, gladiolas, Georgia O'Keeffe, Barbara Mandrell, Little House, Cagney & Lacey, and the separation of church and state.

Besides family, Joanie is survived by a world of friends. She is preceded in death by her mom, Marilyn Penn, and her beloved canine family members, Lucy, Alice, and Larry Tool.

Joanie's abundant love for people touched many lives. She hoped for a safer and kinder world. Her wish for us all is a life filled with peace, love, and tulips. A celebration of her life will be held in Madison in the summer.