Joann Kay Facklam
September 05, 1934 - February 22, 2020
Obituary
MONONA – Joann K. Facklam, age 85, passed away peacefully at home on Saturday, Feb. 22, 2020. She was born on Sept. 5, 1934 in Lodi, the daughter of the late Sylvester and Grace (Cross) Brereton. While attending the Lodi public schools she was proud of the many lifelong friendships she made. Joann graduated from Madison in 1953 receiving her LPN license. She was employed with Mendota State Hospital. For years she was a bookkeeper for various Madison Eastside businesses and worked at WPS as an adjuster. Joann returned to her first love of nursing at Central Wisconsin Center, where she worked until retiring in 2005 at the age of 70. In 1954 she married Wilbert “Bert” Facklam and assisted him with his business ATC Trucking while continuing to hold down her other jobs. He preceded her in death in 1980. She was an avid Packer fan and a charter member of the Madison Packer Backer’s, holding season tickets and stocks. The many bus trips with the group made lasting memories. Joann's love of football also extended to the WI Badgers and was a season ticket holder when Camp Randall added their upper deck. Joann was a seasoned traveler enjoying all the beauty this country has to offer. She often traveled with her best friend, Janis Crandall. In 1990 she met and lived with her long-time love, the late Russell Spencer (2008). She and Russ enjoyed cruising, becoming members in the admiral’s club from their many journeys. She traveled to Ireland and numerous other destinations.
She is survived by her sisters, Candice “Candy” Nelson and Mary (Jerry) Robertson; brother and sister in-law, David and Joyce Facklam. She has many nieces, Chaplain Jamyi Witch, Melanie Facklam, Jodee (Welch Kox), Shelly (Robertson) Schwartzlow, Denise and Cheryl Nelson; nephew, Frank Robertson; and many great and grand nieces and nephews. Joann was preceded in death by her dear late niece, Lisa (Tom) Hunter, mother of Matt, Chase, and Hannah. She loved them all dearly, never missing an opportunity to participate in celebrations. Whether it be birthdays, school plays, sports, graduations and everything in between. She was the definition of the perfect Aunt.
Funeral services will be held at GUNDERSON LODI FUNERAL AND CREMATION CARE, 157 S. Main St., Lodi, Saturday, March 7, 2020 at 11 a.m. Visitation will be from 10 a.m. until the time of service on Saturday at the funeral home. Burial to follow at Mt. Pleasant Cemetery in Lodi. There will be a luncheon at 1 p.m. at Fitz’s on the Lake. Donations may be made in Joann’s memory to Rawhide Boys Ranch, E7475 Rawhide Rd., New London, WI 54961. Flowers may be sent to Gunderson Lodi Funeral and Cremation Care, 157 S. Main St. Lodi, WI 53555.
Events
Visitation
Sat Mar 7, 2020 @ 10:00 AM - 11:00 AM CDT
Gunderson Funeral and Cremation Care - Lodi • 157 South Main Street, P.O. Box 17, Lodi, WI 53555
Service
Sat Mar 7, 2020 @ 11:00 AM CDT
Gunderson Funeral and Cremation Care - Lodi • 157 South Main Street, P.O. Box 17, Lodi, WI 53555
Photos
No photos of Joann have been shared yet.
Memories
JW
Jamyi Witch
Other •
What an incredible, funny, fantastic, sassy, no-nonscence, inspiring, loving, hard working, caring and a million other positive words My Beloved Aunt was. She shall be missed by many.
NA
Nicci Anderson
Other •
Oh how boring our Sunday brunches are going to be with out you here. Janis misses you and your nightly chats.
PW
Pete Waite
Other •
I grew up right next door to Joann & Bert, they were great neighbors. My parents, Gloria & Bill Waite, moved to Woodridge Rd in 1961, so we knew Joann & Bert for a long, long time. We always enjoyed our chats out in the yard and as a kid, I especially enjoyed going to their house with my friends. I'm not sure how we got started doing it, but as a group we'd go knock on their back door and she'd always have cookies for us! We were regular customers and it was always great to see her smiling face. RIP Joann, we will all miss you.
TS
Tracy Spencer
Other •
I am Russell daughter Tracy. I have such amazing memories of JoAnn to many to write about. Here is one of the memories I have. JoAnn would go with us to the pool she didn’t really swim but once she got in the pool with my dad. She got scared and was grabbing for my dad he got a hold of her and she was hanging on for life, my dad was going under the water and I remember screaming don’t drowned my dad. It was a memory that years later her and I would laugh about many times, even at my dads hospital bed when he was in ICU. She remained friends with my mother and step dad even after my dad had passed. I know JoAnn is by my dads side and at peace. She will always live on in the hearts of many. I so sadly regret that I will not be able to be their to pay my respects but I will be there in spirit. Love you JoAnn
CS
Cheryl Stacey
Other •
Cheryl Foster-Stacey
JoAnn and I are first cousins. We had many hour long phone calls over the years. She was always helpful in telling me of the Cross family history. I am doing research of our family ancestry and she said she had a framed portrait of our Great- Great Grandmother. She asked me to come see it years ago which I did. We talked of getting together for lunch but neither one of us liked driving on the highway or when it got dark as we got older so kept in touch by phone. I will miss our phone visits.
AH
Annie Hubata
Other •
Our sweet Joanne. With a heavy heart, I am blessed having had Joanne apart of my world. Her kindness, sincerity, laughter and life's stories will forever be a bright beacon.