Joan L Giese

Joan Loris Sarazen Dhooge Giese

Some will remember her as Joanne from Racine. Some will recall that she rather disliked her
middle name, Loris. Most will remember her as an admirably determined, self-sufficient,
independent, rambunctious woman, mother, neighbor, and friend.

Joan wore her very brown hair in short curls, rollerskated to popular organ music of the day,
enjoyed cutting the rug to big band music, and loved to polka.

Early in life, it's rumored that she and her mother slept on the enclosed porch of a family home
during the depression years. Her schoolbooks were so heavy that one shoulder pulled lower
than the other.

As she grew and married, she and her husband purchased their first home on the east side of
Morris Avenue where their first daughter was born. Later, they purchased their second home on
the west side of Morris Avenue where their second daughter was born.

Whether reading aloud old fairy tales, encouraging music lessons (French horn, piano, guitar,
and marimba), sewing cute clothing and many furry stuffed animals, or singing in beautiful,
effortless harmonies, Joan enjoyed sharing her creative talents and doing for others. She
stopped knitting as a young woman due to bursitis in an elbow but kept the needles and
pom-pom maker.

A parade of family dogs each left their mark on the wooden windowsill of her red brick home’s
big picture window. She was devastated when Middie, a small black poodle mix, was hit by a
car.

Likewise, she adored her horse Pepper. Sharing Pepper at area schools for show-and-tell, Joan
had Pepper wear a big straw hat to ease any fears and encourage the kids. Content at home in
the yard together, Pepper followed her and bumped her with his nose for attention as she tried
to work.

Joan also loved to share her love of music and musicals. To her girls, evenings on a blanket at
the Humboldt Park bandshell with its nearby pond, gardens, boats, and ducks seemed dreamier
than Hollywood. A formidable performance by Ferrante and Teicher at the South Shore Yacht
Club was interrupted by news of men landing on the moon. On one of numerous, very enjoyable
family occasions at the Melody Top Summer Stock Theatre, Leonard Nimoy starred as The King
[and I] and Joan wasn't the only lady breathless at Spock's proximity.

Over the years, dinners of cold tuna salad competed with hot tuna bake but, eventually, eating
out became more convenient. Joan's calendar could be set by almost daily stops at McDonald's
for morning coffee. Memories of weekly Wednesday night family dinners at the Ponderosa still
bring a craving for a nice ribeye. Sundays after church always meant eggs over easy at George
Webb's, Marc's Big Boy, or a fresh chocolate-covered lemon donut at Amy Joy.

She never stopped looking forward to letters from her war-time penpal in England or especially
from her dear sister Maryann in Rhode Island.

Near end of life, her home, friends, and cats remained a source of immense pride and joy. Her
home was stately and wooded, with a beautiful view of the lake and serenity in abundance; just
as she'd always dreamed. Cats are safe and cared for with friends.

Now, although unfinished, what we leave behind and what we take with us are only our
sweetest shared memories. Secure in the knowledge that our life's efforts and accomplishments
are indeed appreciated, perhaps we find reason enough, as days draw to a close and sun sets,
to rest in peace.

A private graveside committal service will be held at Woodlawn Cemetery, Neosha, WI.