Josephine 'Joe' Ann Prochaska

MADISON- Josephine “Joe” Ann Prochaska passed away on Friday, Sept. 9, 2011. The only child of Stanley and Jeanette Higgins, she was born on Feb. 2, 1927. She lived her entire life in Madison. Joe Ann, as she preferred to be called, attended St. Raphael Grade School and next attended Madison West High School. She graduated from Madison College, School of Business Administration completing the Secretarial Course of Study and Practice. While in high school, she did bookkeeping at Baron’s Dept. Store. In 1947, she married Benjamin Prochaska at St. Raphael Cathedral. They resided on Jennifer Street. A daughter, Barbara Ann, blessed their household on Aug. 19, 1952. Barbara died on Feb. 1, 2005. Joe Ann contracted polio in 1955. She was fitted with a leg brace which she has worn ever since. It did not stop her from visiting Egypt, Israel, Rome, the Greek Islands, Venezuela, Caribbean Islands, Mexico, Canada and many trips to enjoy the sun in winter in Phoenix, Arizona. She spent many hours working for St. Bernard Parish of Madison and cooked and served many meals to clergy and several Bishops especially her friend Bishop O’Donnell. Her employer was the law firm of Wheeler, Van Sickle & Anderson for 50 years until she retired in 2003. A Mass of Christian Burial will be held at ST. BERNARD CATHOLIC CHURCH, 2450 Atwood Ave, Madison, at 11 a.m., on Thursday, Sept. 15, 2011, with Monsignor Michael Hippee presiding. A Mass of Christian Burial will be held at ST. BERNARD CATHOLIC CHURCH, 2450 Atwood Ave, Madison, at 11 a.m., on Thursday, Sept. 15, 2011, with Monsignor Michael Hippee presiding.