Joan "Joanie" Rose Gross

Joan “Joanie” R. Gross, of Waukesha, died on Sunday, January 19, 2014 at Waukesha Memorial Hospital at the age of 79 years. She was born in Waukesha on April 2, 1934 the daughter of John D and Rose (nee Furrer) Gross. She was a 1952 graduate of Waukesha High School and went on to receive her teaching degree from Whitewater State Teachers College. Joanie started her elementary school teaching career in Racine, Wisconsin before teaching at the Army Base in Heidelberg, Germany. After teaching overseas she continued her career teaching in Waukesha and Milwaukee. Joanie was a lifelong member of Vernon Presbyterian Church in Big Bend, WI where she was an Elder and Deacon, sang in the church choir, was part of the Vernon Active Adult group and taught Sunday School. She enjoyed volunteering with the RSVP reading program, doing crafts, crossword puzzles, board games and writing.

She will be sadly missed by her sisters, Barbara (Ron) Zimmerman and Sandra Gross both of Waukesha. Her nieces, Janet (Karl) Bethke, Leigh Ann Kramer PhD (Bruce Kaiser), Katie Zimmerman (Joe) Schomisch. Her grand-nephews, Dr. Andrew (Andrea) Butchart, Adam and Erik Bethke. Grand-nieces, Jessica (Mike) Barille and Michelle Kramer, Great-grand-nephews and nieces, Jackson, Kennedy, Michael John and Kyla, and many relatives and friends who survive her. She was preceded in death by her parents, her brother John Don, her sister Margaret Bertram, nieces, Margaret Rose Goffard and Patricia Butchart.

A memorial service honoring Joanie’s life will be held at 4:00PM on Saturday, April 12, 2014 at Vernon Presbyterian Church, S71 W23280 National Avenue, Big Bend, Wisconsin 53103 with visitation and dinner to follow at 5:00PM. A private burial will be held Friday, April 11th at the church cemetery. Memorials to Vernon Presbyterian Church or Waukesha County Food Pantry are appreciated. Randle-Dable-Brisk Funeral, Cremation and Preplanning Services is honored to serve the family. For further information, please call the funeral home at 262-547-4035 or visit our website at www.waukeshafunerals.com to leave the family an online tribute message.