Joanne was born in Canaan, CT, on October 18, 1938, to Ella and Walter Johnson. She was very young when her parents and siblings came to Falun, Wisconsin. She attended the Falun School and then Grantsburg High School. She was an early faithful member of the First Baptist Church of Falun.

For three years, Joanne was a student at UW-Superior, where she met Ed Marquardt. She transferred to UW-Eau Claire for her final year in Biology and Chemistry. She and Ed, now an officer in the Air Force, were married in Falun on May 28, 1960. They traveled to Washington State, where Joanne completed her training in medical technology.

Their first child, Steven, was born at Joint Base Lewis-McChord in Washington State. Joanne and baby flew to Minneapolis to join her parents. She and Steven later rejoined Ed’s new duty station in Florida. Early Air Force-related assignments and moves included Illinois followed by time in Duluth, Minnesota. Second son, John, and daughter, Janice, were born in Duluth.

Joanne and their three young children lived in Grantsburg, Wisconsin while Ed was in Greenland. The family all moved to Colorado Springs and then to Taiwan for two years, which was a very interesting and different place. The family returned to Charleston, South Carolina, where Ed left the Air Force. Subsequent post-military homes included Fairplay, Colorado, Sidney, Nebraska, and Hustisford, Wisconsin.

Joanne was employed as a registered medical technologist for many years in spite of all of the moving. Ed and Joanne came back to Burnett County in 2002, and Joanne assisted her aging parents. There were many good years at Mud Hen Lake.

Joanne is survived by her husband, their three children, her sisters Edna Esther and Mary, brother Warren, eight grandchildren, two great-grandchildren, and several cousins and other extended family. She will be sorely missed by all who knew her.

The memorial service will be held on Saturday, August 8, 2026, at 12:00 p.m., with visitation beginning at 11:00 a.m., both at First Baptist Church of Falun, WI. Luncheon to follow.

A private family graveside service will take place at Mud Hen Lake Cemetery in Daniels Township.

Last Update: Aug 05, 2026 9:24 am CDT