- Date Of Birth: May 28, 1930
- Date Of Death: May 21, 2022
- State: Minnesota
On a lovely late spring May day in 1930 (the 28th to be exact), Joan Marie was born to Lawrence and Elsie Wiese in Alda, Nebraska, where she was greeted by older brothers Chuck and Dick.
Eighteen months later sister Fran arrived, and the family was complete. As a farm girl, Jo (as she was always known in her adult years) enjoyed the animals, especially the horses. Her early education was in a one room schoolhouse, and she graduated from Grand Island High School. Secretarial work was the next life step, but then she met a man.
At a Saturday evening dance, Bill Schricker spotted her and asked her to dance. She accepted, and they danced through life together for the next 71 years. They married on October 15, 1950. Bustling family life was soon to follow, with daughters Coleen, Nan, and Kate joining them in their first eight years. Jo helped support the family while Bill went to seminary, and then she filled the role of pastor’s wife for a number of years in Hooper, Nebraska, and Kansas City, Kansas.
In 1959 they embarked on what they considered their grand adventure, moving to Walker, Minnesota, to start a private campground, a new concept at that time. Bill built shower houses, and Jo kept them clean.
The resort was a family enterprise, and once their children and nephews had grown up and were no longer available as cabin cleaners and dock boys, it was time to transition to the next phase of life. Keeping the golf course for a time, Jo and Bill bought a camper and spent a number of years traveling the United States during the winters. Eventually they settled in Harlingen, Texas, where they golfed and played bridge all winter. Jo was involved in women’s groups and Bible studies, and volunteered as a tutor in the local elementary school. Summers were spent in Walker, still golfing and playing bridge.
Jo was a seamstress extraordinaire, having made many dresses for her daughters (matching dresses were a thing in the ‘50s). During these years there was time for her creativity to flourish. Quilts, crocheted and knitted afghans, bridesmaids dresses, Halloween costumes for the grandchildren, rose mauling, and basket making were a few of her projects. Whatever she attempted was beautifully done, and some of her creations are treasured heirlooms.
Family was at the heart of Jo’s life, and she was deeply committed to those she loved.
Above all else, Jo loved Jesus and the Heavenly Father he represented. Every day began with a cup of coffee and her Bible. She was faithful to put into practice those things she knew. There was no guile in her, and she didn’t speak ill of anyone but seemed to have taken to heart the admonition in Luther’s catechism to “defend (our neighbor), speak well of him, and put the best construction on everything.” Our great consolation in our loss of her here is that she now sees clearly Him who she saw by faith throughout her life.
Jo was preceded in death by her husband Bill, infant son John William, parents Lawrence and Elsie Wiese, brothers Chuck and Dick, and granddaughter Annamarie. Survivors include daughters Coleen (John) Towner, Nan Schricker, Kate (Bruce) Blythe, son David (Melinda) Schricker, sister Frances Goodmon, and grandchildren David, Meg, Charlotte (Ross), Garrett, Grant (Jess), Andrew, Abigail, Jonathan (Bri), and Bree.
The whole family was involved in caring for Jo during her last two years, but special thanks to Nan who cared for her in her home for a year, David who made many trips from Illinois to provide respite care, and Charlotte (and Ross) who cared for her in their home for her last 10 months of greatest incapacity. Thank you all for seeing her to the end of her life with love and kindness.
