Joan M. Graham

January 5, 1927 - August 9, 2018

Joan M. Graham

Joan Graham, age 91, of Janesville died on August 9, 2018. Joan was born to LeRoy and Mardell Grenawalt on the family farm in Avon Township, Wisconsin on the 5th of January 1927. A self-described tomboy, she loved playing football with her grandpa, UW football standout Dane Richards, and hunting with her father as a young girl. While in Arkansas in 1949, she met and married the love of her life, Robert Graham. In 1951, Bob was called up to Reserve Duty during the Korean War and stationed in The Philippines. Joan followed him there later that year, and their first son was born there. Returning home in 1952, they settled in Janesville, Wisconsin, where Bob went to work at GMAD and Joan raised their growing family. In 1966, Joan returned to work at Parker Pen, retiring there after 16 years in 1982. Joan was beautiful both inside and out. She was firm and stubborn in her convictions, yet soft-hearted, always positive and most of all, loving. She was proud of her roots, but even prouder of her grandchildren! Her care and concern for others was evident in her hugs, her words of encouragement, her desire to help and her quickness to share food! Her faith in Jesus Christ as her Saviour was of utmost importance – she knew whose she was! She was one of those rare finds who listens to every word you say. As her “Pop” would say, “She was a wonderberry!”

She is survived by her four sons and their wives: Robert and Gail, of Naples, Florida and Janesville, Wisconsin; Steve and Lois, of Ashwaubenon, Wisconsin; Ron and Zina, of Janesville, Wisconsin; and Bill and Mary of Cranbrook, British Columbia, Canada as well as 11 grandchildren and 6 great-grandchildren, her sister and brother in law Carole Jean  and Joseph V. Knapp of Livonia, Michigan, and by many nieces, nephews in Louisiana and Mississippi and across the country

Joan was predeceased by her loving husband of 62 years, Robert; her parents LeRoy and Mardell (Richards) Grenawalt; her infant sister Doris; her sister Eileen (Wes)Story; and brothers Lester (Joanne) Grenawalt and Dane (Donna)Grenawalt. A Christian Memorial Service in her honor is scheduled for 10 am, Saturday, September 8th, 2018 at the Henke-Clarson Funeral Home, 1010 N. Wright Road, Janesville, WI. 53546.  Mom was always a giver – putting others before herself.  Those who wish to may follow her example by making a contribution via a memorial account setup with Samaritan’s Ministries at samaritanspurse.org.

 

Added: August 10th, 2018
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Joan M. Graham

January 5, 1927 - August 9, 2018

Joan M. Graham

Joan Graham, age 91, of Janesville died on August 9, 2018. Joan was born to LeRoy and Mardell Grenawalt on the family farm in Avon Township, Wisconsin on the 5th of January 1927. A self-described tomboy, she loved playing football with her grandpa, UW football standout Dane Richards, and hunting with her father as a young girl. While in Arkansas in 1949, she met and married the love of her life, Robert Graham. In 1951, Bob was called up to Reserve Duty during the Korean War and stationed in The Philippines. Joan followed him there later that year, and their first son was born there. Returning home in 1952, they settled in Janesville, Wisconsin, where Bob went to work at GMAD and Joan raised their growing family. In 1966, Joan returned to work at Parker Pen, retiring there after 16 years in 1982. Joan was beautiful both inside and out. She was firm and stubborn in her convictions, yet soft-hearted, always positive and most of all, loving. She was proud of her roots, but even prouder of her grandchildren! Her care and concern for others was evident in her hugs, her words of encouragement, her desire to help and her quickness to share food! Her faith in Jesus Christ as her Saviour was of utmost importance – she knew whose she was! She was one of those rare finds who listens to every word you say. As her “Pop” would say, “She was a wonderberry!”

She is survived by her four sons and their wives: Robert and Gail, of Naples, Florida and Janesville, Wisconsin; Steve and Lois, of Ashwaubenon, Wisconsin; Ron and Zina, of Janesville, Wisconsin; and Bill and Mary of Cranbrook, British Columbia, Canada as well as 11 grandchildren and 6 great-grandchildren, her sister and brother in law Carole Jean  and Joseph V. Knapp of Livonia, Michigan, and by many nieces, nephews in Louisiana and Mississippi and across the country

Joan was predeceased by her loving husband of 62 years, Robert; her parents LeRoy and Mardell (Richards) Grenawalt; her infant sister Doris; her sister Eileen (Wes)Story; and brothers Lester (Joanne) Grenawalt and Dane (Donna)Grenawalt. A Christian Memorial Service in her honor is scheduled for 10 am, Saturday, September 8th, 2018 at the Henke-Clarson Funeral Home, 1010 N. Wright Road, Janesville, WI. 53546.  Mom was always a giver – putting others before herself.  Those who wish to may follow her example by making a contribution via a memorial account setup with Samaritan’s Ministries at samaritanspurse.org.

 

Added: August 10th, 2018

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