Joanne E. Smith passed away on November 25, 2024. A recent Jefferson resident Joanne lived most of her adult life in Fort Atkinson after her childhood on the family farm in Cornell, Wisconsin.
Joanne was born on October 2, 1936, to Anton and Louise Hillebrand. She graduated from Cornell High School and the University of Wisconsin-Whitewater.
In June 1958, Joanne married Robert J. Smith, of Whitewater. They agreed that Fort Atkinson was the ideal place to raise their four children. They were married for almost 60 years before Bob’s death in 2018.
Joanne found her calling as a teacher at St. Joseph Catholic School in Fort Atkinson, retiring in 2005 after three decades of teaching. She then shared her love of children’s literature at the Velveteen Rabbit Bookshop.
Joanne is survived by three sons: Paul (Cristina) and their children, Ema, Greer, and Barrett, Mark (Elizabeth Christians) and their children, Nathaniel and Madeleine; and James (Yvonne), and their children, Samuel, Alexandra (Keith) Ford, and Olivia. She is also survived by daughter Bobbi’s husband, Michael English, and their children, Sarah (Alex) Leisawitz and Claire; and three great-grandchildren, Abigail, Anna, and Sage. Joanne is also survived by her sister-in-law Lorraine Hillebrand; nephew Joseph (Elizabeth) Hillebrand; and niece Catherine (Paul) Salm, along with great-nephews and great-nieces: Jacob and Anna Hillebrand, Joseph (Erin) Salm, Matthew (Regan) Salm, and John (Megan) Salm; and great-great nieces and nephews Daniel, Hannah, Jack, and Brooklynn.
In addition to husband Bob, family members who preceded Joanne in death are: her parents; daughter, Roberta (“Bobbi”) Smith English; and brother, Anton (“Tony”) Hillebrand, Jr.; and her in-laws James and Gertrude Smith.
A Funeral Mass will be held at 11:30 a.m. the morning of Friday, February 7, 2025, at St. Joseph Catholic Church in Fort Atkinson. Visitation be held from 10 a.m. until the time of service. A luncheon will be served after the Mass.
Online condolences may be made at www.DunlapMemorialHome.com. Mailed condolences may be sent to Mark Smith, 7331 Arctic Fox Dr., Madison, WI 53719. Memorials, if desired, may be made to St. Joseph Parish, with a note indicating “Joanne Smith.” Donations will be used for the “Mrs. Smith Reading Fund” and a brick in the memorial garden. Or donations may be made to the organization of your choice.
The family wishes to thank Joanne and Bob’s special friends and neighbors who helped them over the years.
Dunlap Memorial Home in Fort Atkinson is assisting the family.
Joanne E. Smith
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