Joan J. (Wenzel) Anklam

Joan J. Anklam, 81, of Wausau passed away Tuesday December 12th, 2023 at Aspirus Wausau Hospital with her family by her side after a courageous battle with cancer. Joan was born September 30th, 1942, in Wausau to Herbert and Stella (Torzewski) Wenzel. The oldest of three girls, Joan and her sisters grew up on the family farm. From early on, Joan learned the importance of hard work and family togetherness. Joan attended grades one through eight in a one-roomed schoolhouse in Ringle,WI, where she was the only student in her eighth grade class. She was a 1960 graduate of Newman High School, the first class to attend all four years at the school in its current location on Bridge Street in Wausau. Joan went on to work at Larson’s Cleaners, Bob Johnson Chevrolet, Colonial Manor Nursing Home, and Integrity Fire Protection, Inc. On October 12th, 1968, Joan met the love of her life, Jerry Anklam. They were married at St. Michael Catholic Church on June 5th, 1971. They had one daughter, Jennifer Joan, in March 1977. Jerry preceded her in death on May 3rd, 2015. Joan was an active, lifelong member of St. Michael Parish. Besides being present at mass every Sunday until her health no longer allowed it, Joan participated in the Rosary Society and the prayer chain ministry. Joan was a wonderful wife, mother, grandmother, mother-in-law, sister, aunt, cousin and friend. She would give you the shirt off her back and not expect anything in return. She had a quiet way about her and she always knew how to make you feel better. Her greatest joy was her family, especially her two granddaughters. Joan is survived by her daughter Jennifer (Dan) Kroeger and their children Hannah and Chloe, all of Wausau; two sisters, Marie (Ron) Juedes, Ringle and Ann Reich, Schofield; Godchildren Tammy (Jeff) Badeau and their son Mason, Ringle, and Michael Juedes and his children Stella and Lily, Wausau; nephew James (Joanne) Juedes, Ringle, and their family: Joseph (Claudia Korpita), Ringle; Jacob (Maddie) Juedes and her son Jackson, Weston; and Jonathon, Ringle; niece Roxanne Schroeder , Wausau, and her family: Melissa (Brad) Dahm and children Beau and Watson, Wausau; Jacob (fiancé Briana Bowen) and children Bentley, Adaleigh and a child on the way, Wausau; niece Brenda (Del) Tesch, Wausau, and family: DJ (Autumn) Tesch and children Keegan and Ethan, Wausau; Jeremy, Wausau; nephew Russell (Maureen) Anklam, Marathon, and son Zachary, Marathon; as well as many other family members and friends. Joan was preceded in death by her beloved husband Jerry; parents Herbert and Stella Wenzel; parents-in-law Raymond and Elvera Anklam; step-father-in- law Frank Andzeyewski; brother-in-law Ronald “Butch” Reich; nephew Mark Reich; brother-in-law Orville Anklam; and sister-in-law Marilyn Anklam. The Funeral Mass will be held at 11:00am on Friday December 22nd, 2023 at St. Michael Catholic Church, 611 Stark Street, Wausau, with Father Tom Lindner presiding. Visitation will be from 4:00pm to 7:00pm on Thursday December 21st, 2023 at Peterson Kraemer Funeral Home, 1302 Sixth Street, Wausau. The Rosary will be prayed at 7:00pm. Visitation will again take place on Friday at the church from 10:00am until the time of the service. Burial will take place at Restlawn Memorial Park following the funeral mass. A heartfelt word of thanks goes to Dr. Christopher Peterson and the nurses and staff at the Aspirus Regional Cancer Center, as well as the nurses and staff at Aspirus Wausau Hospital on the Oncology Care Unit and the Palliative Care Unit, especially Dr. Ben Kaster. Thank you all for your compassionate care of Joan and her family. In lieu of flowers, memorials may be directed to the family. Online condolences may be made at www.petersonkraemer.com.