Joan A. Marchiando

Joan A. Marchiando, 81 of La Crosse, passed away on Friday, February 23, 2024, at Bethany-St. Joseph Care Center. She was born March 10, 1942, in Almond, WI to Louis and Lillian (Konkel) Sopa and graduated from Almond High School.

Joan continued her education at the University of Wisconsin-Stevens Point, where she earned her bachelor’s degree in mathematics and began her teaching career in West Bend, Wisconsin.

On August 13, 1966, she married Richard “Rocky” Marchiando at St. Mary’s Mount Carmel Catholic Church in Fancher, WI. While Rocky attended medical school in Madison, Joan taught in Monona Grove.

The family moved to La Crosse and Joan took time from her teaching career to stay at home and raise their three children. She eventually returned to teaching at Western Wisconsin Technical College in the G.E.D. Math Department, retiring in 1999.

Joan was a member of the American Association of University Women and Holy Trinity Catholic Parish where she taught CCD for many years. Joan was a patron of the La Crosse Symphony for many years. She loved playing bridge, bunco, golf and tennis.

Joan is survived by her husband, Richard “Rocky” of La Crosse; two daughters, Laura (Matt Hanson) Marchiando of Onalaska and Anna (Devin Curran) Marchiando of Scottsdale, AZ; a son, John (Brynn) Marchiando of Albquerque, NM; six grandchildren, Eva Marchiando, Henning Hanson, Sophia Marchiando, James “Rocky” Curran, Nolan and Adeline Marchiando; three sisters, Theresa McCamley of Fountain City, WI, Caroline Kostroski of White Bear Lake, MN and Cathy Rhutasel of Almond, WI, along with many nieces and nephews. She was preceded in death by her parents; two sisters, Germaine and Adeline Sopa.

We would like to thank Bethany-St. Joseph Care Center for the excellent care and love extended to her over the last four- and one-half years. We truly believe in our hearts that there is a special place in heaven for all the people who work at Bethany-St. Joseph.

A Mass of Christian Burial will be held at 10:30 A.M. Tuesday, March 5th at Holy Trinity Catholic Church in La Crosse with Rev. Rick Roberts officiating. Entombment will follow in Catholic Cemetery. Visitation will be held from 5-7 P.M. Monday, March 4th, at the Schumacher-Kish Funeral and Cremation Services, 200 West Avenue South, La Crosse. Visitation will continue at the church on Tuesday from 9:30 A.M. until the time of the Mass. Memorials are suggested to Holy Trinity Parish or Bethany-St. Joseph Care Center.