JoAnn Marie Paters

JoAnn Paters, age 89, of Manawa, passed away on her birthday, January 31, 2024, at St. Joseph's, Monarch Meadows in New London, Wisconsin, after an illness with dementia and breast cancer.

JoAnn was born in New London, WI on January 31, 1935, to the late Edna (Davis) Myers and Lloyd Hidde. JoAnn attended Little Wolf High School, graduating in the class of 1953. Following school, JoAnn married Theodore Paters on June 19, 1954. They lived in Manawa raising their five children. During this time, she waitressed at Paters Café in Manawa for several years. Later in 1970, JoAnn married Everette Heimbruch and had two children. She was employed for many years at Manawa Community Nursing Center and St. Joseph's Nursing Home as a nurse's aide until she retired in 1999.

JoAnn had an amazing heart and funny side. She loved to joke and cook and had a special bond with all animals. You never left hungry when visiting. Neighborhood kids would stop by, spend the night, and always have a good breakfast before leaving in the morning. And when you did leave it was always "LOVE YOU" while she flashed the porch light good-bye. JoAnn enjoyed many happy years in Symco watching traffic during the car shows and Thresheree.

JoAnn's life was surrounded by her children, grandchildren, and great grandchildren, who she loved with all her heart.

JoAnn is survived by a sister, Kathy (Arlyn) Hansen; her children: daughters: Tracy Strong, Jolene (Jerrod) Werth; sons: Daniel (Donna) Paters, James Paters and his Godson Micheal Rice, Steve (Tammy) Paters, Lenny (Kris) Heimbruch; grandchildren: Ashley Paters, Ashley Beyer, Alec Strong, Dylan Werth, Dawson Werth, Kerri Much, Brittney (Andrew) Drum; great grandchildren: AJ Drum, Kassia Beyer. She is further survived by relatives and friends.

She is preceded in death by her parents and stepfather, Clinton Myers; ex-husbands: Theodore Paters and Everette Heimbruch; brother, Bob Hidde; son, David Paters; son-in-law, Duane C. Strong.

A Celebration of Life for JoAnn will be held on Monday, February 5, 2024, from 2:00 - 5:00 PM at the Dahlke Life Celebration Center in Manawa. Burial will be in Union Cemetery, Symco at a later date.

The family would like to thank the staff at St. Joseph's Monarch Meadows and Heartland Hospice for their compassion and care for mom. Also, Beth Hutchinson for always making sure mom got to her appointments on time.

Mom, you will be forever missed. See you later alligator, after while crocodile.