Joan L Severa

Severa, Joan L. MADISON-Joan L. Severa, age 89, passed away on March 5, 2015, at Oakwood West in Madison, with family and friends by her side. She was born on August 7, 1925, in Spring Green, to Gertrude and Johnny Baker. Joan was a master gardener and after retirement she authored, How to Create a Perennial Garden. She volunteered at Olbrich Gardens for many many years and was on the Olbrich Garden Tour. Joan shared her knowledge of gardening with enthusiasm and great knowledge and could be seen quite often digging in her yard dividing up plants to share with neighbors and fellow gardeners. Her career started at the State Historical Society in 1958, and by 1979 she has worked her way up to Curator of Costume and Textiles, which included Decorative Arts. During her tenure, Joan published many articles on historic costume for living history centers and created the Patterns of History. Among her many achievements is her book, Dressed for the Photographer 1840-1900. The book won the CSA Millia Davenport Award in 1996, and prizes from the Society for the Preservation of New England Antiquities, the Victorian Society in America, Wisconsin Library Association and the Golden Pen Writing Award from the United States Institute for Theater Technicians. She followed up with another book, My Likeness Taken. Joan never gave up on anything. Her nickname was Joan Perservera. She continued to learn well into her life and was a happy, funny, courageous and loving person. The family would like to thank so many people in Joan’s life, Debbie, Rita, Diane, Jennifer and Dana; her Giggle group of Trudy Starr and Shirley Toomey, who were like sisters to her; John( Gus) and his wife; Ralph who called every day from Brooklyn NY; Edward whose friendship was sustained through 45 years professionally and personally; and all her garden friends. We would especially like to thank Chris, her neighbor and best friend. Without you, Joan would have never been able to stay in her home as long as she did. Your friendship was a treasure to her and a treasure to our family. There are so many friends that came to visit Joan these past weeks, thank you. Your friendships meant the world to her and our family can’t thank you enough for all you did. Joan’s family would also like to thank the caregivers at Oakwood West, Hebron Oaks for their wonderful care and the staff at Agrace HospiceCare for their compassion and caring for Joan. Joan is survived by her step-daughter, Sue Wiemer( Dave); her granddaughter, Jessica Felix( Dan); her grandson, Garrett Mitchell; her great-grandson, Edison; another great grandson, due in April; granddaughter, Marqetta; grandson, David; her nieces, Linda Maer ( Dave) and Roxanne Emordeno; and her nephew, Mike Emordeno ( Fay) . She was predeceased by her mother and father; her sons; David and Danny Westbury; and her sister, Marquetta Olson. There will be a celebration of Joan’s life at Olbrich Gardens, on August 8, 2015, ( her 90th birthday would have been August 7th) from 11 a.m. until 3 p.m. Memorials may be made to Olbrich Gardens, or the CSA Endowment PO Box 1723 Mendocino CA 95460-1723. When my soul is free at last, It will run, Flying lithe and barefooted Online condolences may be made at www.gundersonfh.com. Gunderson East Funeral & Cremation Care 5203 Monona Drive (608)221-5420