Joanne Frances Wesenberg, 75, Granton, passed away at 10 a.m., Thursday, Oct. 6 at Marshfield Hospital Palliative Care with her loving family at her side, after a 2-year battle with cancer, which she so bravely fought.

Joanne was born on Dec. 17, 1940 in Greenwood, Wisconsin to Carl and Garnett Bladl.  She lived in Granton her whole life and graduated from Granton School in 1958. She married the love of her life Dale Wesenberg on June 25, 1960 and they just celebrated 56 years of marriage this summer.

Joanne worked her first job at Weinbrenner Shoes after graduating and then took employment at Weyerhauser, formerly Roddis, where she worked several years. She then worked a few years at Lynn Dairy until she decided to pursue the CNA (Certified Nursing Assistant) program.  She received her CNA certificate in 1975 and then began her career at Memorial Medical Center in Neillsville, where she worked 30 years, known as “Mother Wesenberg” by the staff and residents.  She also worked for Granton Area Schools in the kitchen until her illness, where she was recognized upon retiring, for 28 years of service.

Her life will forever be cherished in the memories of her husband Dale, her daughter Dawn (Bill) Wixon, Marshfield, sister Joyce Steinbach, Granton, brother Richard (Susie) Bladl, Washington and several nieces and nephews.

She was preceded in death by her parents, her son Scott in Nov. 1969, and two nephews Gerald & Chuckie Steinbach.

Joanne was known for spoiling the neighborhood children and family with her homemade baked goods, as well as, the neighborhood dogs who always had plenty of treats.  Her husband Dale said he bought hundreds of pounds of dog treats over the years and they never owned a dog.  As a “kitchen lady” at school she always tried to help make the children’s day special with her smile or loving sense of humor.  She enjoyed traveling and her daughter Dawn has many great memories of camping trips as a child.  She collected Christmas Villages over the years and enjoyed displaying them.  Joanne will be remembered by many as the lady with a heart of gold.

The family would like to extend a special thank you to all of the wonderful caregivers she encountered during her illness and to the many people who sent their love and prayers.

It was Joanne’s wishes to have no public services but her family will gather later for a private graveside memorial ceremony. The Cremation Society of Wisconsin is assisting the family.