Joann Marie Emery

JoAnn Marie (Kriesel) Emery, 82, of La Crosse and formerly of West Salem, passed away peacefully on Sunday, August 3, 2014, at Bethany-Riverside Nursing Facility.

JoAnn was born in La Crosse on May 26, 1932, to Albert and Lorchen (Bonsack) Kriesel and was raised on Brice Prairie in rural Onalaska. She had fond memories of her childhood there, where a favorite pastime was climbing into the treetops, up high enough to sway with the branches in the wind. She attended rural school on Brice Prairie, and was proud to have received a special driver’s license at age 14, allowing her to drive herself and neighbor children to and from school. JoAnn attended Holmen High School for two years until the family moved to rural Galesville. She graduated from Galesville High School in 1950. JoAnn then attended St. Francis School of Nursing in La Crosse, graduating with her degree in nursing in 1953.

JoAnn met Richard Emery when, following an automobile accident, he was admitted to the hospital floor where she worked as an RN. Soon after, they met again (and again by chance) at a VFW dance in La Crosse. JoAnn and Dick, whom she later described as her soul-mate, were married on June 25, 1955, at First Lutheran in La Crosse. They lovingly welcomed four children and after working at St. Francis Hospital from 1953 to 1961, she stayed at home while her children were young. She returned to nursing in 1972, and spent the next 22 years at Gundersen Clinic, retiring in 1994.

JoAnn loved living in the country, and spent many hours in her gardens, walking in the woods, and watching the wildlife that surrounded the Barre Mills home that she and Dick built in 1977. JoAnn and Dick also enjoyed exploring the country in their motor home, especially after retirement.

Faith and family were of primary importance to JoAnn. She was baptized and confirmed at Immanuel Lutheran Church in La Crosse and had been a faithful member of Mount Calvary Ev. Lutheran Church in La Crosse since 1961. She was a loving and devoted daughter, wife and mother and a very proud grandmother and great-grandmother. She was happiest when surrounded by her family. Most of her immediate family were together with her in the hours before she died.

JoAnn is survived by her husband, Dick; her children, Kathleen Emery (Paul Anderson) of Verona, Wis.; Mark (Sherry) Emery of Oconomowoc, Wis.; Rebecca Emery of La Crescent, Minn. and Samuel Emery of Seattle, Wash.; her grandchildren, Alexandra Wardwell (fiancé, Ben Walker), Joseph Wardwell, Max Wardwell, Jennifer (Jason) Graham, Kelly Cline, and Jacob Emery; and a great-granddaughter, Brina Cline. She is also survived by a sister, Barbara (Fred) Von Haden of Montgomery, Texas; a brother, David (Rosalie) Kriesel of Melrose, Wis.; and many cousins, nieces and nephews. She was preceded in death by her parents; by her sister and brother-in-law, Betty and Curtis Heim; and by brothers-in-law Robert Emery and “Red” Jirsa.

A memorial service will be held at 11:00 a.m., Friday, August 8th, at Mount Calvary Ev. Lutheran Church, 1411 South 16th St., La Crosse. Pastor Robert Wassermann will officiate. Friends may call at Schumacher-Kish Funeral and Cremation Services of La Crosse, located at 200 West Ave. So., on Thursday from 5:00 until 7:00 p.m., and at the church on Friday from 10:00 a.m. until the time of service.
Memorials can be directed to Mount Calvary Ev. Lutheran Church.

JoAnn’s family would like to thank the dedicated and caring staff at Carroll Heights, The Willows, and Bethany-Riverside. The tender care and many kindnesses they provided to JoAnn are greatly appreciated.

Say not in grief “She is no more” but live in thankfulness that she was. Hebrew proverb