Joanne Kay Kaczmarek

Our devoted and loving mother Joanne passed away peacefully on Monday, March 10, 2025 at the Great Lakes Rehab Center in Saginaw, Michigan at the age of 86. She was born to the late Roy and Anna (Fiebke) LaForge in Bay City on August 19, 1938, the oldest of the six J’s: Joanne, Judy, Jackie, Joyce, Jan and Jerri. Joanne was a devout and active member at St. Catherine of Siena Parish. She was a woman of strong faith, who prayed daily. She volunteered at the St. Vincent de Paul Food Pantry of St. Catherine of Siena and at St. John’s School Library in Essexville.

Joanne enjoyed going on casino trips, camping and traveling to Arizona with her husband, Nicholas, doing puzzles and playing cards. She enjoyed spending time with her family and was proud of every single one of them. She loved attending her grandchildren’s sporting events, dance recitals and many other events.

Joanne is survived by her children, Kimberly (Scott) Germain, Nicholas (Linda) Kaczmarek II, Kellie (Tom) Deming and Chris (Teresa) Kaczmarek; grandchildren, Tyler (Elyse Vigiletti) Germain, Weston (Colleen Guidot) Germain, Carlie (Tyler) Provow, Elizabeth Kaczmarek, Nicholas Kaczmarek III, John Kaczmarek, Owen Deming, Jarret (Jennifer) Deming, Thane Deming, Erin Kaczmarek, Cameron Kaczmarek and Morgan Kaczmarek; great grandchildren, Gabriel and Isaac Vigiletti-Germain, Simon and Logan Germain, Leah and Emmett Provow and one more on the way; sister’s, Jackie (George) Whiteman, Jan (Dale) Bargeron and Jerri (Roy) Heiter; sister-in-law, Luella Kaczmarek; brother-in-law, Greg Marks and many nieces, nephews and cousins. In addition to her parents, she was preceded in death by her husband of 64 years, Nicholas Kaczmarek, who is now reunited with his bride in heaven; sister’s, Judy Marks and Joyce (Dennis) Petrimoulx; brother-in-law’s, Francis Kaczmarek, Joseph (Hilda) Kaczmarek, Phillip (Florence) Kaczmarek and Anthony Kaczmarek; sister-in-law, Rose Marie (Ben) Connelly; father and mother-in-law, Anthony and Josephine Kaczmarek.

A Funeral Mass will be held on Monday, March 17, 2025 at 11:00 a.m. at St. Catherine of Siena Parish with visitation from 10:00 a.m. until the time of the service. Officiated by Bishop Robert Gruss and Fr. Jim Bessert as the Homilist. A private inurnment will be taking place in St. Anthony’s Cemetery at a later time. The family will be present to receive visitors on Sunday, March 16, 2025 from 2:00 p.m. to 6:00 p.m. at the Gephart Funeral Home, with a Vigil Service taking place at 5:00 p.m. Memorial contributions may be made to the St. Vincent de Paul Food Pantry.