Joan Ellen (Reffue) Enget, age 82, died peacefully on November 30, 2024 at SSM Monroe Clinic Hospice Home. She was born on November 14, 1942 in Beloit, Wisconsin, to Herbert and Edith (Holcombe) Reffue. She graduated from Clinton, Wisconsin High School in 1960 and Madison Business College in 1961. Her first job was in Janesville working for Household Finance. She later worked for AJ Industries, a golf cart manufacturer in Delavan. Joan was a member of Clinton’s First Presbyterian Church where she served as the organist for several years. In 1968, Joan moved to Denver, Colorado where she worked 31 years in the land department for Texaco Oil Company. She lived in a big mansion boarding house near the Governor’s mansion. It was there that she made life-long friends and met her future husband. Herbert Enget (a 100% Norwegian originally from North Dakota) and Joan married on August 26, 1974. In 1980, they joined Sons of Norway Trollheim Lodge in Lakewood, Colorado and were active in many lodge fundraisers including garage sales, Adopt A Highway, Bingo, and dinners. Joan volunteered many hours in the lodge gift shop and served as the shop’s main manager and buyer from 2013 until she moved to Wisconsin. As a member of Trinity Presbyterian Church which is now Community of Grace Church, Joan held various volunteer jobs including ushering, scheduling greeters, office and library tasks, along with occasional substitute pianist duties. Herb passed away on his birthday, July 10, 1998 and Joan continued to live in their Arvada, CO townhouse until moving to Monroe, WI in 2022 to be closer to family. While living in Monroe, Joan attended Union Presbyterian Church, volunteered at Thrift and Thrive on the square, and enjoyed Monroe Arts Center and Monroe Theatre Guild.
She is survived by her brother and his wife, Bob and Kathy Reffue of Monroe; three step daughters and husbands, Fae (Bobbie) Harper of Arizona, Inez (Jerry) Johnson of Oklahoma, Brenda (Mac) McKnight of New Mexico; five step grandchildren, Brad Harper, Robbie Harper, Aaron Looney, Trent Looney, Patti Capps; and numerous great grandchildren and cousins. She was predeceased by her parents; husband; two step granddaughters, Seresa and Brandy Capps; and a good friend, Don Coyle.
Memorial services will be held on Friday, December 6, 2024, at 11:00 a.m., at Union Presbyterian Church, Monroe, with Rev. Stacy Cavanaugh officiating. She will be inurned alongside her husband in Powers Lake, North Dakota at a later date. Visitation will precede the service at the church beginning at 10:00 a.m. In lieu of flowers, memorials are suggested in Joan’s name to Green County EMS, Monroe Fire Dept., Sons of Norway Trollheim Lodge, Lakewood, CO, or Community of Grace Church, Arvada, CO. The NEWCOMER FUNERAL HOME, Monroe, is assisting the family. Condolences may be shared at www.newcomerfuneralhome.net
Joan’s family would like to thank the in home caregivers: Kimmie, Edie, Adri, Jarrett, Doria, and Ann; Monroe Fire Dept. Lift Assist Team, Green County EMS, and the wonderful caregivers and volunteers at SSM Monroe Clinic Hospice Home. Joan appreciated all the wonderful friends who visited during her last months of life.
