MIDDLETON - Joanne Mae Powles, age 86, passed away on Wednesday, June 22, 2022, at 1 a.m. The only child of Elmer E. and Ella (Schafer) Schultz, Joanne was born May 23, 1936, in Neenah.

Joanne was a 1954 graduate of Neenah High School and a 1958 graduate of UW-Madison with a B.S. degree in education, where she was affiliated with Chi Omega sorority. She taught elementary school in Menasha and Racine.

On June 20, 1959, Joanne married John G. Powles. The couple lived in Racine, and Wausau where they raised their three children, and Columbus, Ohio, prior to moving to Middleton in 1999 upon her husband’s retirement. In Wausau, Joanne was a volunteer for Girl Scouts, Boy Scouts, Meals on Wheels, school activities and the First Presbyterian Church. She was the founding president of the Wausau Area Junior Woman’s Club, a board member of the Leigh Yawkey Woodson Art Museum, and in 1986 was honored for her beautification accomplishments at North Central Technical College.

With her husband, she traveled worldwide, and also in the United States, Canada and Mexico with their RV. She was an avid sports fan of the Badgers and Packers. She was a member of the PEO Sisterhood Chapter BC and of Covenant Presbyterian Church. She enjoyed a variety of outdoor activities throughout her life, including canoeing, camping, gardening, skiing and backpacking. Joanne was also an avid knitter. Her husband, children and grandchildren were a true blessing in her life.

Joanne is survived by her husband of 63 years; two children, Janice (Ben) Levy of Cedarburg and John D. (Michele) Powles of Columbus, Ohio; son-in-law, Mark Torresani; and grandchildren, Elizabeth (Jarrick) Jensen, Andrew Torresani, Julia Torresani, Jake Levy, Sara Levy, Anna Levy, Cyrena Powles, Orion Powles and Adara Powles. She was preceded in death by her daughter, JoEllen Elizabeth Torresani in 2016; and by her parents.

A memorial service to honor Joanne’s life will be held at 11 a.m. on Thursday, June 30, 2022, at GUNDERSON WEST FUNERAL AND CREMATION CARE, 7435 University Ave., Middleton, Wis.

For those who wish, memorial gifts may be directed to the Cottey College PEO Sisterhood, Friends of Schumacher Farm Park, Covenant Presbyterian Church or to a charity of your choice. Online condolences may be made at www.gundersonfh.com.

Gunderson West

Funeral & Cremation Care

7435 University Ave.

(608) 831-6761

Joanne Mae Powles

May 23, 1936 - June 22, 2022

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