Joanne Thalia Donhauser

Joanne Thalia Donhauser

Elkhart Lake - Born in Sheboygan, Wisconsin to Nicholas and Maria Johnson (whom she adored), Joanne Thalia Donhauser (ne. Johnson) embraced her Greek heritage fully from the earliest onset and celebrated its exuberant, family-centric ethos throughout her own life. As did her beloved sisters and brothers Penny, Louise, Aline, Peachy, Elaine, and Bob and John. Joanne was empowered by the love she shared with her brothers and sisters. Many years were enjoyed at their shared cottage on Elkhart Lake, a magical place that bonded the whole extended family, and where many cherished memories were made legendary and lives changed by the sheer joy of the place.

The eldest of eight children, Joanne kept her siblings, family and friends constantly laughing and always full of good cheer - staying true to her middle name, Thalia, the Greek muse of comedy.

As the matriarch, Joanne possessed an abundant heart, a beautiful soul, and roaming intellect. Joanne was happiest when she was with her large family and many friends. With her boundless love and gift for connecting with people, she had an indelible impact on the lives of everyone around her.

Joanne was loyal and true to those she loved and who loved her so much, remaining close with her many childhood friends throughout her life. She devoted herself to the well-being of her numerous brothers, sisters, nieces, nephews, children (Maria, Paul & John, and Michelle her late daughter- in -law and dear friend) and her grandchildren (Luke & Hannah) and her one and only true love - Ted Donhauser, her husband of 61 years. In fact, Joanne had a crush on Ted when he worked as an usher at her Father's movie theatre in Sheboygan while she worked in the box office!

Joanne graduated from the University of Wisconsin-Madison with a bachelor's degree, and became an educator in Glencoe Illinois, where she taught pre-school and kindergarten children. All while raising a family of her own with Ted.

Her adventurous spirit and love of her Greek heritage led her to teach first grade students, in Athens, Greece where she moved for several years in 1971, bringing her own three young children along who, to this day, cherish the glorious adventure they had abroad. She returned to Greece several times and on a subsequent trip one of her fondest memories was staying up to watch the dawn on Santorini island for Greek Easter with her youngest son John. Also, most recently in 2013, she marveled at the beauty and heartwarming family celebration at the traditional Greek wedding of her niece Alisa Hunter to Stratos Vakrinos, on the idyllic island of Trizonia near Nafpaktos, Greece.

When Ted's work took him to Tokyo, Japan from 1981 to 1983, Joanne followed and relished immersing herself in yet another culture. She spent several years enjoying the remarkable delicacies to be found at the famous Skiji Fish Market, skiing in Sapporo, and even taking in the occasional Sumo wrestling match!

Joanne lived a life full of love and loved by many. She was a brilliant and amazing cook, loving nothing more than to host her family and friends for delicious home-cooked meals - her Spanakopita and Baklava in particular were well known and craved after by those lucky enough to be familiar.

Although an educator by profession, Joanne was more than simply a teacher in the general sense. Rather, she was something of a sage and lore keeper to those who would listen and know - passing down oral traditions and keeping the history of her great family alive in all of her descendants.

Joanne Thalia Donhauser left this world peacefully while listening to the gilded melodies of the Greek music she loved so much on February 22nd, 2021 in hospice care with her loving daughter, Maria, by her side.

She will be missed by all and reunited in heaven with her best friend and true love Ted.

The family plans to have a celebration of both Joanne and Ted's life this summer in Sheboygan to be announced as soon as possible.