May 22, 1930 - December 21, 2015
Joan Patricia Kirsch, age 85, died Monday, December 21, 2015 at Pleasant View Nursing Home, where she had resided since July 2010.
Joan was born May 22, 1930 to Lydia (Sommers) Taylor in Milwaukee, WI. She lived with her beloved Kline family - "Mama Kline" and "siblings" Ray and Verna in Marshfield, WI until she was 10 years old. Her mother then married Edward Meyer and they moved to Loyal, WI. Joan graduated from Loyal High School in 1948 and trained at St. Joseph's Hospital in Marshfield, WI as a Lab Technician. She came to Monroe in 1950 and worked at the Monroe Clinic and St. Clare Hospital. In 1969 she became the manager of The Gift Castle on the square in Monroe and worked there until her retirement in 1995.
On September 18, 1954, Joan married the love of her life, Leander Kirsch, at St. Victor Catholic Church. The two had four daughters over the next five years. Joan was an active volunteer at St. Victor Parish in various capacities, one being a Trustee. She was a member of the Jaycees, a Girl Scout Leader, active in the Monroe Theatre Guild, and was also a 4-H Drama leader. Joan was an avid bridge and card player and made it a priority to teach all of the grandchildren how to play Tripoly and Poker. She was an extensive traveler with many trips throughout the United States, Europe, and the Middle East.
Joan is survived by her loving husband, Lee, of 61 years; daughters Ann Keen-Berg, Milton, WI; Marie (Robert) Weisbrod, Cottage Grove, MN; Patricia Kirsch, Kirkland, WA; and Julie (Douglas) Batien, Mosinee, WI. She is also survived by her grandchildren; Elizabeth Keen (Erin Swetland), Peter Keen (Emily Nieset), Margaret Keen, Jennifer Berg, Alison Pream, Timothy (Shannon) Weisbrod, Anastasia (Kurt) Albers, Leandra Batien (Laura Ladsten), Olivia Batien (Michael DeCleene), Elyse Batien, and great-grandchildren, Sarah Pream, Molly Pream, Nolan Weisbrod, and Charles Weisbrod. She is further survived by her step-brother William (Rita) Meyer and nieces and nephew.
Joan was preceded in death by her mother, Lydia Meyer; stepfather, Edward Meyer; her sister, Elizabeth Louise in infancy; and son-in-law, John Berg.
Funeral services will be Tuesday, December 29, 2015 with a Mass of Christian Burial at St. Clare of Assisi (St. Victor) Church at 11:00 AM. Visitation will be at the church starting at 10 am until the start of the mass.
The family would like to express their profound gratitude and thanks to the staff at Pleasant View Nursing Home for their care, compassion, and support for our wife, mother and grandma these past 5 1/2 years. You have become our extended family with your involvement in Joan's life.
In lieu of other expressions of sympathy, memorials may be made to the Alzheimer's and Dementia Alliance of Wisconsin (ADAW), the Humane Society, or any other charity of your choice. To sign the online guestbook or send a condolence go to www.newcomerfuneralhome.net
"A fact of life we all die. But the positive impact you have on others will be a living legacy." - Catherine Pulsifer