Joanne Wurtz

September 24, 1937 - May 23, 2015

Joanne Wurtz Mary Joanne Wurtz, lovingly known to all as Joanne, peacefully passed away on Saturday, May 23, 2015 at Comforts of Home in Menomonie, Wisconsin. She was 77. Joanne was born September 24, 1937 in Las Vegas, New Mexico to George Reddy and Margaret Homan Reddy. She grew up in Las Vegas and St. Mary’s, Kansas. She completed Registered Nurse training at St. Mary’s College, Leavenworth, Kansas in 1958. Joanne proudly served as vice president of her nursing class. She enjoyed a long and rich relationship with classmates, attending reunions and maintaining correspondence for years. Joanne worked as an RN at the VA Hospital in Independence, Missouri before marrying Paul Roberts Wurtz (Bob) January 31, 1959 at Immaculate Conception Church in St. Mary’s, Kansas. Joanne continued her nursing career until starting a family and eventually moving to Menomonie, Wisconsin in 1965. Throughout her life Joanne remained an active member of St. Joseph’s Parish. She enjoyed reading, Scrabble, traveling, music, Bridge and frequently delighted family members with her many sketches and paintings. She will always be treasured for her kindness, her lively sense of humor, creativity, and timely wit. Her gift of song and rhyme will continue to bring joy to her children and grandchildren for generations to come. Joanne is survived by her husband, Bob Wurtz; ten children Chris Wurtz, Colette (Richard) Bresnahan, Anne M. Parks, Bob (Paige) Wurtz, Jill-Marie Reinsch, Maria (Murray) Wurtz, Paul Wurtz, Beth (Bob) Bianchi-Rossi, Jessica (Kevin) Ramsay, and Tim Wurtz. Joanne is also loved and treasured by her twenty-two grandchildren including Richard, Margaret, and Sarah Bresnahan; Emily, Elise, Sylvie, and Eva Parks; Reid and Chloe Wurtz; Madeline, Cassondra, and Sophia Reinsch; Christopher Wurtz and Mackenzie Yagilashek; PJ and Raina Bundy-Wurtz; Alicia, Mario, Alesondra, Bianca, and Angela Bianchi-Rossi; Alivia Ramsay; and four great-grandchildren. Joanne’s surviving siblings include Bob (Betty) Reddy, Mike (Kathy) Reddy, Peggy (Mike) Livingston. She was preceded in death by her loving mother, father, and unborn twin sister. Joanne's family would like to extend their gratitude to Dr. Jean Anderson of the Mayo Clinic Health System for her many years of thoughtful, compassionate care. The family would also like to thank the care providers at Comforts of Home in Menomonie for their kind and loving care. Funeral services will be held at 1:00 p.m. Friday, May 29, at St. Joseph’s Catholic Church in Menomonie. Visitation will be one hour prior to the service at the church. Interment will take place in Kansas at a later date.