Joanne Lynn Koshalek

Joanne Lynn Koshalek Joanne Lynn Koshalek, 62, a former Wausau resident passed away suddenly, April 5, 2006 at her residence in Fayetteville, Georgia. Joanne was born in Wausau on July 2, 1943, the daughter of the late Evelyn (Walters) and Alfred Koshalek. Joanne moved to Fayetteville, Georgia, in May of 2005 to be with her extended family; Pawel & Misha Stec and her grandchildren; Isabella and Aleksander. She attended Newman High School and earned a Master and Bachelor degrees from the University of Wisconsin - Stevens Point. Joanne taught Family and Consumer Economics in the Merrill District for 27 years (1971-1998). During those years she had a desire to prepare students for life beyond high school. In all her classes, the students knew she cared about them and what they were to become. She was respected by the students and her fellow teachers. Joanne was years ahead of other schools in the state to introduce new classes into the Family and Consumer area. She was instrumental in starting the Health Career Program and offered high school students the opportunity to take such courses as Health Occupations, Certified Nursing Assistant, and Medical Terminology. In the early 1990's, these courses were not taught at the high school level so she worked very closely with Northcentral Technical College to make these courses available to students. Merrill high school students were able to receive technical college credit for the classes. This concept of transfer credit is very common now, but unheard of back then. Joanne opened her home and heart to many foreign students attending Northcentral Technical College. She was host mother, friend and parent to young adults from Nicaragua, Panama, Honduras, Poland and Germany. Joanne was always there to help others and care for them. She will be greatly missed by her family, friends and colleagues. Among her many interests, she enjoyed her beloved Packers, interior decorating, gourmet cooking and traveling. Joanne loved playing and making special projects with her grandchildren, Isabella and Aleksander, who named her "Kaba". Kaba, you will be with us forever. She is survived by her family, Pawel and Misha Stec and grandchildren Isabella and Aleksander, Fayetteville, Georgia; her brother, Robert (Susan) Koshalek, Mosinee, Wisconsin, and three nephews, Robert J., Michael A., and Joel J. Koshalek. She was preceded in death by her parents. Memorial service will be held at 11:00 AM Saturday, May 6, 2006 at St. Mary's Roman Catholic Oratory, Wausau. Peterson/Kraemer Funeral Home, 1302 Sixth Street, Wausau, is in charge of arrangements. Online condolences at www.petersonkraemer.com God Bless you, Joanne. In lieu of flowers, the family would like to honor Joanne's memory by smiling at a stranger, spending time teaching a child a game, as everything in life is full of wonderment for them. Make new friends and renew old friendships. Give a small gift to someone (you might make their day). Practice random acts of kindness. Most of all Do It Today. Let tomorrow wait for you.