Joanne Muriel Wittman

 

  Joanne Muriel (Harvey) Wittman, age 89, went home to be with Jesus on December 6, 2023. Joanne was born September 6, 1934, in Fort Kent, Maine to Rose Dubé and raised by her Grandparents Hector & Stella Dubé. She graduated from Fort Kent High School.

  She met her first husband Galen Harvey at a New Years dance. They got married on October 30th of that year. Her daughter, Joyia, was born September 22, 1955, also in Fort Kent, Maine. Due to health issues the family ventured to Casper, Wyoming where she gave birth to her son, Kim, on January 12, 1960. Her kids were her pride and joy.

  After renting several apartments, Galen and Joanne purchased their home at 1127 West 21st and to this day still has the same address and phone number.

  She started a grooming business in the mid 60’s. During her grooming years, Mom had many friends, neighbors and countless people help her in the clipping room. In 1972, Jeanine Failes became part of our family, adding (later in her life) five adopted grandkids plus 29 more foster kids that loved and called Joanne Gramma.

  In 1975, Mom met the love of her life Donald Wittman and his beautiful daughter, Teria. They were married on January 14th of that year. Mom and Don moved to Gillette to follow Don’s work as a finish carpenter. Her journey with Jesus started here. She met a young couple, Mick and Nick Anderson, with their 7 precious kids of course, adding more to her family. Attending a crusade, Mom experienced the true love of Jesus and another dear friend and prayer partner, Rita Berger, led Mom to the Lord and the rest is history. Joanne didn’t know a stranger. Over the years she and Don housed many homeless, addicted, lost people and every type of animal you could imagine. Their home was truly a safe haven in the storm. But she especially opened her home for any and all occasions and holidays. No one was ever excluded.

  We spent many weekends at Alcova. Mom got all of us hooked on jet skis. The “No Wake” rule never applied to Mom when pulling out from the shore at Oakie Beach. However, Labor Day was Mom’s “Birthday Weekend”, people coming from all over for this celebration. Starting with Joyia, Angela, Catherine and whoever else was in the car, chiming in on a chorus of “Who Wears Short Shorts” “GRAMMA” wears short shorts!

  Until last year, Joanne and Don lived in their home, but for health reasons, had to move into Garden Square Assisted Living. Mom was the strongest person I know, and it was really hard for her to give up all she was used to. She frequented Mountain View Baptist Church with her daughter, granddaughters and great grandkids for special days and many productions. She missed going to the Good News Church which she considered her home church. Joanne was truly loved by many, scattered throughout the United States and even the Philippines.

  Joanne is survived by her children, Joyia (Bill) Tighe, Kim Harvey, Teria (Gaston) Leone, Jeanine (Marvin) Clark; grandchildren, Allison, Angela, and Catherine; her adopted grandchildren Sara, Dillon, Ron, Megan, Tiffany; and numerous Great Grandbabies.

A memorial service will be held at 11:00am, Friday, December 15, 2023 at Mountain View Baptist Church.