JoAnn Gatzke, 84, of Waldo, passed away peacefully on
Thursday, October 20, 2022, at Sharon S. Richardson Community
Hospice in Sheboygan Falls, surrounded by loved ones.
JoAnn (Miller) Gatzke was born February 11, 1938, to Horton and
Waleska (née Wriedt) Miller Hoffmann. She was a 1954 graduate
of Plymouth High School. She met Galan Gatzke in 1952 and
upon his return to the United States after serving two years in the
Armed Forces, the couple wed on November 5, 1955, at St.
John’s Lutheran Church in Plymouth.
JoAnn, or Mrs. G as she was known, was a beloved Teacher’s
Assistant, working with students with special needs at Waldo,
Sheboygan Falls and Random Lake Elementary Schools. She
was highly involved in the Americans with Disabilities Act and
Inclusion for people with special needs, paving the way in
Sheboygan County for children with special needs and their
families. JoAnn and Galan also owned and operated Gatzke’s
Groceries in Waldo, WI.
JoAnn was an active volunteer and community member. She
volunteered time in several areas of her church, St. Paul’s
Lutheran Church in Sheboygan Falls. She volunteered at the
Sheboygan Falls and Plymouth food pantries. She also
volunteered for the Waldo Fireman's auxiliary.
She loved sewing and making clothes, gardening, and camping.
Above all, she loved God and her family. JoAnn was the
foundation on which her family rested. She was strong,
courageous, resilient, and caring, and treated those she met in life
with compassion and respect. Her presence will be deeply missed
by her family and friends.
JoAnn is survived by her two daughters, Colleen (Ken) Kaat of
Plymouth, and Cynthia Boyd of Waukesha; one son, Lawrence
“Larry” Gatzke of Waldo; six grandchildren; Gary (Dea) Kaat,
Jason Kaat, Angela (Aaron) Cleveland, Ryan (Katie Jesse) Boyd,
Erica Boyd, Steven Boyd; six great-grandchildren, James (Ardis
Manning) Kaat, John Kaat, Kade (Krystal Hayes) Kaat, Morgan
(Seth Hess) Henkel, Alesha Kaat-Fohr, and Jade Henkel; one
great-great grandson, Aydan Hamil; two sisters, Lois Parntizke of
Eagle River, and Sharon Vorpahl of Sheboygan Falls; one
brother, Robert Miller of Wausaukee; one brother-in-law, Dennis
(Dianne) Gatzke of Sheboygan Falls; and one sister-in-law,
Nancy Gatzke of Ankeny, IA. She is further survived by nieces,
nephews, special cousins, other relatives, and close friends.
JoAnn was preceded in death by her loving husband of 65 years,
Galan in 2021; her parents; a son, Craig Gatzke; son-in-law,
David Boyd; and four brother-in-laws, Carrol Lee Gatzke, Jeffrey
Gatzke, John Vorpahl, and Gordon Parnitzke.
A funeral service to celebrate JoAnn’s life will take place on
Wednesday, October 26, 2022 at St. Paul Lutheran Church in
Sheboygan Falls at 11:00 am with Pastor Rob Schrader
officiating. Relatives and friends may greet the family from 9:30
am until the time of the service at 11:00 am. JoAnn will be laid to
rest at Greenlawn Memorial Park.
The family wishes to extend a special thank you to the caring and
supportive staff of Sharon S. Richardson Community Hospice for
their help with at-home and in-facility care. Memorial contributions
can be made in JoAnn’s name for Sharon S. Richardson
Community Hospice. Online condolences can be made at
www.wenigfh.com . The Wenig Funeral Home of Sheboygan Falls
(920-467-3431) is serving the family with arrangements.
Comments