Joann E. Anderson

Joann Eugenia Anderson, age 82, of Merrill, passed away peacefully on Thursday, April 20, 2023, on the “Patio of Paradise” in North Miami, Florida.  Joann was born March 18, 1941, in Chicago, the oldest of five children (baby brother passed away at 2 years old). She graduated from Good Counsel High School in Chicago, in 1959, and attended Wright Junior College in Chicago.  On November 7, 1959, she married her high school sweetheart, her one and only, Arthur A. Anderson, whom she met while roller skating at the Hub Roller Rink.
Joann was a loving wife and devoted mother of nine children. She stayed at home while raising her kids to be faithful, respectful, and kind. “Just try your best,” “Be Good and Have Fun,” “Treat others the way you want to be treated”, and “Call me late, but don’t call me late for dinner” were just a few sayings you would hear Joann say. Joann took pride in being a Certified Nursing Assistant and Restorative Aide for 26 years at Pine Crest Nursing Home in Merrill, Wisconsin. Patients would always migrate toward her because of her positive energy and constant smiles. Everyone who was blessed to know Joann knows how much she cared for others because she lived her faith in our Lord Jesus Christ each and every day. You walked away from Joann wanting to be a better person.                                                                                                        

Joann was a long time active member of St. Francis Catholic Church in Merrill. She was a proud member of the church choir, attended her bible study groups, and participated in many church events. Joann’s greatest joy was spending time with her children, grandchildren, great grandchildren, family and friends. Joann was known for being hospitable welcoming everyone into her home. She loved to prepare meals for others to enjoy. Joann spent her last four years being cared for by her daughter Michelle – her very own angel on earth. Michelle poured her heart and soul into making sure that her mom lived each moment as healthy and happy as possible.

Joann was preceded in death by her husband, Arthur A. Anderson, her parents, Stanley S. Martin and Carolyn (Duginski) Martin, brother, Stanley (Sonny) Steven Martin, sister-in-law, Krystyna Martin, and brother-in-law, Donald Stahl.  Joann is survived by her sister, Mickey Stahl, her brother, Thomas F. Martin, nine children: Michelle Anderson, North Miami, Florida, Suzanne (Tim) Devine, Eau Claire, Wisconsin, Laura Anderson, Folsom, California, Christine (Lee) Lau, Merrill, Wisconsin, Nadine (Dan) Kannel, Plum City, Michael (Veronica) Anderson, Merrill, Paulette (Scott) Severt, Merrill, Edward (Janelle) Anderson, Ferryville, and Steven (Heather) Anderson, Winneconne, 23 grandchildren: Mitchell (Jeanne), Mallory Dorn (Alex), McKenzie Schmitt (Chris), and Max Devine, Brittany Bell (Tommy) and Austin Malm, Emily and Sam Lau, Brandon, Shelby Wells (Josh), and Jazmin Kannel, Bruce and Gunnar Anderson, Pankaj and Harsha Kumar, Cole (Makenzie) Severt and Sierra Bell (Jesiah), Brooke, Sage, and Drake Anderson, and Margaret, Jed, and Luella Anderson, ten great grandchildren: Thomas and Julia Devine, Murphy Dorn, Joelle and Cooper Schmitt, Forest and Giana Bell, Oliver Wells, Eliza Severt, Nora Bell and many other loved family members and friends.
Viewing will be from 9:00-10:45 am on Friday, April 28^th, at Waid Funeral Home with the funeral Mass of Christian Burial to follow at St. Francis Catholic Church in Merrill, Wisconsin. Father Maria Vallabhaneni will officiate. The burial will follow the Mass at St. Francis Catholic Cemetery.

For those unable to attend, a recording of the Mass will available for future viewing and can be found under her obituary on the funeral home website.

Waid Funeral Home & Cremation Service of Merrill is assisting the family with arrangements.  Online condolences are encouraged and may be made at www.waidfuneral.com.