- Date Of Birth: December 14, 1951
- Date Of Death: November 18, 2021
- State: Wisconsin
Kellner, Wis. – Joanne A. Hahn, 69, quietly slipped from this life into the next just before midnight, November 18, 2021.
She had recently beaten cancer and was on an upswing as she battled other health ailments. With her husband and daughters on their annual gift-giving day trip to visit various friends in their beloved Door County, she lost consciousness not long after crossing the county line into Door County. She passed away, but was revived by medical personnel in Sturgeon Bay, but did not awaken even after being flown to Milwaukee for surgery. In following her wishes of not being artificially sustained, the family made the difficult decision to let her go, freeing her of this life’s pain and suffering.
Joanne was a very private person and wouldn’t have wanted any attention drawn to her, although she had much compassion for others going through similar situations.
Born to Leonard and Florence (Helgestad) Horn of Pittsville, Joanne grew up in a large family of eight siblings (Jerry, Joyce, Johnny, Janice, Judi, Jackie, James, and Julie). She met Steve at Pittsville High School, and quickly become sweethearts, and even Prom King and Queen. They were soon married after graduation and settled into raising a family. A miscarried son was devasting to them, but joy soon followed with another son (William) and two daughters (Jamie Sturgul and Misty Ferk).
Joanne was a gifted and hardworking homemaker who always made time for her kids (and later her grandkids), helping guide them through life’s many twists and turns. She even helped during cranberry harvest to bring in a few extra dollars. Those hip boots never looked better on anyone else! As the kids grew older, she worked various retail jobs, including DeByles, Aspen Tree, and Pranges in Wisconsin Rapids, and finally working for more than 30 years at Paul Gross Jewelers, where she got to know many wonderful customers and co-workers throughout the years, eventually retiring in 2018.
She loved so very much her many grandchildren. She was present at all their births and devoted time to help care for each newborn, much to the great appreciation of the parents. A great thrill for her was playing with the grandkids and having them stay the weekend, where she could dote on them.
Both retired, she and Steve celebrated 50 years of marriage in August of this year surrounded by their kids and grandkids. She leaves a huge hole in our family structure, one that will never be the same. Yet, the loving example of a perfect helpmeet for Steve and an engaged, caring mother and grandmother for her kids and grandkids have molded and shaped her family’s core values that have been and will continue to be passed from generation to generation.
Door County became a second home to Steve and Joanne, as they loved vacationing there over many decades. While she battled cancer, trips to Door County grew fewer and fewer, which made her last day all the more special. She was surrounded by Steve and the kids as they prayed, listened to music, read Bible scripture, held her hands, and kissed her forehead.
She passed away as she had lived her life: quiet and peaceful.
Joanne is survived by her husband Steve, son William (Christy with Jackson, Morgan, Madison, Mckenna), daughters Jamie Sturgul (Matt with Cole, Ayden, Hennessy, Zerek, Pixelle), Misty Ferk (Aaron with Reed, Chris, Natalie, Alli [John] Kalsow) and many sisters, nieces, nephews, and cousins.
Thank you to the courageous staff at Door County Ambulance, the Door County Memorial Hospital, the helicopter transport, and Aurora St.
Joanne/Mom/Grandma, we truly love you and miss you, but you already know that. We struggle to find the words to say good bye, rather preferring to say, “Good night; God bless; and we’ll see you in the morning, once dawn breaks and the darkness lifts.”
Romans 8:28: “And we know that all things work together for good to them that love God, to them who are the called according to His purpose.” Have you answered the call? Ask Jesus to be your Lord and Savior today to accept His gift of everlasting life. Start with the book of John to find answers.
