JoAnne (Klatt) Ploszay, "Anni" to close family, friends and especially the grandkids, passed away peacefully on Wednesday, December 12, 2007 just before 11:00 a.m. at Golden Age Manor in Amery, Wisconsin.
She was preceded in death by her parents, Otto and Elsie (Kennetz) Klatt, her infant son, Richard Michael, her sister and brother-in-law, Barb and Barney Decker, her godchild, Pam Healy and a sister, Eileen Larson.
She leaves behind her devoted husband of 52 years, Tony; her children, sons, Brian (Beth) Ploszay of Woodbury, Minn., Mark (Linda) Ploszay of Holmen, Wis., and daughter, Jolene (Mike) Paquette of Cabery, Ill. She also leaves her precious grandchildren, Nicholas and Katie Paquette, Aaron and Annie Ploszay and Step-grandchildren, Daniella, Chris and Mia of Holmen, Wis. and Katie and Jacquie Ford of Woodbury, Minn.
She leaves brothers, Dick (Olive), Kenny (Bev), Doug (Donna), Marlin (Earlene), Wendell (Jan), Duane (Pauline) and Arnie (Laurene) and sisters, Shirley (Tom) Higgins and Sharon Kuhl (Don), over 70 nieces and nephews, special classmates, faith community members, friends and co-workers.
JoAnne Elsie (Klatt) Ploszay was born in Deer Park, Wisconsin, on August 13, 1934. She was educated in the Clear Lake Public Schools. She participated in continuing education through the University of Wisconsin Extension at Balsam Lake and New Richmond.
She began her career working at the First National Bank of St. Paul. She retired as Director of the Amery Senior Citizens Center in1997. This was timely as she became a grandma for the first time later that year.
For many years she worked in various types of food service including catering.
She was a member of St. Joseph Catholic Church from the time of her marriage to Tony until her death. She was a member of the Amery VFW Auxiliary Post 7929 and the Amery Senior Center.
JoAnne considered her most significant accomplishment to be paying off and burning the mortgage at the Amery Senior Center and becoming a grandparent.
Her greatest wish in life was that each of her children would find someone to share life with and that loved them as much as she did. Her greatest joys were becoming a grandma and gardening.
She especially loved roses and had many beautiful rose gardens. She loved to cook and bake and was known for the most delectable morsels.
On the morning of December 8, while preparing some kind of treat for the VFW Christmas party, JoAnne collapsed in her kitchen. She was taken to the Amery hospital where CAT scans revealed hemorrhaging from the brain and she was airlifted to St. Paul Regions hospital.
She never regained consciousness. It became apparent that she would not come back to this life as we knew her so her family was able to honor her dying wish and brought her home to Amery where she died at Golden Age Manor the morning of December 12.
Becoming a member of both Central Minnesota and Western Wisconsin Koinonia in 1986, she would want everyone to remember, "All I ask of you is forever to remember me as loving you..."
Mass of Christian Burial was held on Saturday, December 15, 2007, at 10:30 a.m. at St. Joseph Catholic Church with the Very Reverend John Drummy and Deacon Bud Heiser officiating.
Diane Lundgren was soloist and the St. Joseph choir sang. Organist was Arlene Dado.
Casketbearers were: Debbie Althaus, Tim Klatt, David Klatt, Craig Benson, Victor Ploszay and Karen Kjeseth. Honorary bearers were Carol Lenselink, Lois Campion, Sid and Jo Ellingsworth, Millie Amans, Agnes Caudy and Georgia Leverty.
Interment was at the Amery Cemetery. The Williamson-White Funeral Home in Amery assisted the family with arrangements.
(Friday, December 28, 2007 - Amery Free Press)
