Joanne B. (Schneider) Wernecke

Joanne B. (Schneider) Wernecke, 83, formerly of Sheboygan, Wis., passed away on June 25, 2018 at Fountain View Village in Fountain Hills following a long struggle with Alzheimer’s disease.

The daughter of Ulrich and Ruth (Wernecke) Zogg, Joanne was born on Dec. 22, 1934, in Roscoe, S.D. She was one of two daughters. Joanne was a graduate of Sheboygan Central High School, class of 1952.

On Aug. 5, 1955, she married Alfred C. Schneider at Ebenezer United Church of Christ. Al preceded her in death on Jan. 28, 1991. Joanne was remarried on March 26, 1994 to Glenn W. Wernecke. He also preceded her in death on Sept. 1, 2016.

Joanne graduated from Sheboygan County Rural Normal School in 1954 and became a teacher at a small country school for several years. She continued her education and received a Bachelor’s Degree in elementary education from Holy Family College on May 19, 1968. She then earned her Master of Science Degree from the University of Wisconsin-Milwaukee on August 14, 1971, and continued on there with additional graduate work.

The majority of Joanne’s career was spent at Wilson School, where she began teaching in August 1966. Most of her years there were spent teaching, but the later years of her career were spent as Wilson’s librarian/media specialist. Joanne retired from Wilson on June 9, 1994. She and Glenn eventually relocated to Arizona, where they lived for more than 20 years.

Joanne was a long-time member of First Presbyterian Church of Oostburg. She enjoyed painting, drawing, gourd art, sewing, knitting, piano playing, traveling, and spending time with family. She was also an avid reader.

Surviving Joanne are her three daughters and their husbands, Steve and Sherry Rettler of Scottsdale, Scott and Terri Crangle of Pleasant Prairie, Wis., and Les and Lori Bondar of Calabasas, Calif. Also surviving are seven grandchildren, Bradley (Lindsay) and Erin Rettler, Mindi, April, and Mitchell Crangle; and Carly and Kevin Bondar; as well as one great-grandchild, Duncan Rettler.

Joanne was preceded in death by her husbands, parents, sister, Shirley DeSombre; grandson, Craig Bondar; father and mother-in-law, Henry and Sophia Schneider; and many sisters and brothers-in-law.

Joanne’s family would like to express their deep appreciation to the staff at Fountain View Village; Karen Smith Henderson, FNP-C; Chaplain Fred; and Sage Hospice for the compassionate care given to her.

A memorial service will be held for the immediate family in Arizona in late August. Cremation will take place and Joanne’s ashes will be placed in the scattering gardens at Wildwood Cemetery in Sheboygan, near those of her first husband.

Donations may be made to the Alzheimer’s Association at alz.org, or to Habitat for Humanity at habitat.org/donate, in memory of Joanne.