JoAnn R. Stormer

LODI/LAKE WISCONSIN - JoAnn R. Stormer, age 65, of Lodi, passed away on Wednesday, January 12, 2022, at her home surrounded by her loving family.

JoAnn was born on July 9, 1956, in Rockford, IL., the daughter of Franklin and Jacqueline (Blais) Roy.  After graduating from Boylan Catholic High School in 1974, she relocated to Madison to attend Edgewood College. In March of 1975 she met the love of her life, Steve, six months later they were engaged. Nine months after that they were married on June 26, 1976.

A testament to her impressive drive and determination, JoAnn returned to college in 1988, earning her Master’s Degree and graduating with a 4.0 and Honors, while working full-time and never missing a beat with her young family at home.

JoAnn’s generosity spilled over from her personal life to her professional work with a successful career focused on helping others.  She began her career with the Catholic church, working as the Director of Education for three different Madison-area churches. In 1990, she transitioned to secular work as the Director of Volunteer Services for the Southwest Chapter of the American Red Cross.  In the years to follow she held Executive positions with Wisconsin Family Ties and the Respite Care Association and co-founded the Wisconsin Nonprofit Association.  For more than a decade she was the Executive Director of Leadership Wisconsin, a role she took great pride in.  As part of this position, she traveled the globe, leading program participants to learn from other cultures and educate the participants for further leadership roles in their community.  Until her illness, she was President of the Rochester Area Foundation in Rochester, MN; a community she came to love and a position she cherished.

Throughout her career, she also participated in many professional organizations and boards, too numerous to list.   

Everything JoAnn did, she did with a smile.  And with her husband by her side.  For 47 years they did everything together, enjoying the best of the outdoors; camping, boating, fishing, biking, hiking, and skiing.  Both were dedicated members of the National Ski Patrol for 25 years.  They loved live music, attending hundreds of live music venues.

In addition to her husband, Steve, JoAnn is survived by her daughter, Kara (Dustin McIlvain) Stormer; grandson, Finn McIlvain; two brothers, Bill (Tina) Roy, and Frank (Maria) Roy; sister, Jackie (John) Doyle; brother-in-law, Gary Stormer; many dear nieces and nephews, as well as many beloved friends. She was preceded in death by her parents.

"Today I lost the love of my life, my best friend, and the mother of our daughter, my wife. She was the smartest, kindest, most unselfish person I have ever known. It used to frustrate me that she always put everyone ahead of herself--family, friends, even people she didn't know! I always wanted her to put herself first just once!  She would have been so proud to be a grandmother and it breaks my heart that she will never get to see her grandson (Finn) grow up. She would have been an amazing grandma.  Babe, I know that things will never be the same without you, but I want you to know that I have loved you every minute of every day for the past 47 years and that love will never die. Thank you for choosing me all those years ago I am so grateful, you made me the happiest guy on earth.  Your suffering is over babe, rest in peace, I will love you forever.” - Steve

Family services were held. A Celebration of Life in loving memory of JoAnn will be held at THE CAPITAL BREWERY, 7734 Terrace Avenue, Middleton, WI 53562, on Saturday, August 20, 2022, from 12:30 pm to 3:30 pm. Please join us to share your favorite stories and memories of an incredible woman who is greatly missed.

In lieu of flowers, donations may be made to the Wisconsin Alzheimer's Disease Research Center Fund at the University of Wisconsin or Agrace Hospice.

Online condolences may be made at www.gundersonfh.com

Gunderson Lodi

Funeral & Cremation Care

157 S. Main St.

(608) 592-3201