Joan Elaine (Brandt) Wendt
Joan Elaine (Brandt) Wendt, 84, a lifelong resident of Fond du Lac, passed away peacefully on March 26, 2024 at St. Francis Home. Joan was born on August 1, 1939 to the late Ervin and Viola Brandt. She graduated from L.P. Goodrich High School in 1957. On July 2, 1960, Joan married Arden Wendt at St. Mary’s Church in Fond du Lac, and they were married for 48 years until Arden’s death in 2008. Joan worked as an administrative assistant for Mercury Marine and then much later as a clinic assistant for an ENT practice. Her most cherished career was raising their four boys: Jeff, Jim, Joel, and Jon and then later doting on her 11 grandchildren and 5 great-grandchildren. She was such a beloved grandmother that many others called her “Grandma Joan.” In addition, Joan was a dedicated volunteer at Agnesian/SSM Healthcare for 49 years until her passing. Her volunteer service included “mobile meals”, the OB unit, the clinic information desk, and Samaritan Health Clinic.
Joan enjoyed traveling with her husband, and in later years with her sister, Joyce, and friends. For the last 26 years, she escaped Wisconsin’s winters to Pensacola Beach, Florida. There she enjoyed relaxing by the pool, golfing with friends, and hosting vacationing family members. Joan enjoyed supporting her husband, children, and grandchildren at their countless sporting events and school functions. She enjoyed monthly lunches with the “50’s girls”. Joan was an avid game player (especially bridge), a bowler, a golfer, and a devout Catholic known for praying the rosary every night before bed. Joan was also a breast cancer survivor.
Above all, Joan most enjoyed spending time with the people she loved. This includes her family and many friends, especially the Pfeifer team family. Joan shared six grandchildren and an extra special friendship with her BFF, Judy Michels. Joan loved well and was well-loved in return. She will be dearly missed.
Joan is survived by four sons and 11 grandchildren: Jeff (Lori) and their children, Brayden (Ryanne), and Kaillyn (Zach) Culbertson; Jim (Jacquie) and their children, Jaime, Jacob (Andrea), and Jordan; Joel (Jill) and their children, Lucas (Jess), Logan, and Lauren; and Jon and his children, Tyler, Megan, and Ryan; five great-grandchildren: Arden and Clayton Wendt, Joena Wendt, Lyla Culbertson, and Cameron Wendt; her sister, Joyce Gau; her brother-in-law, Ken Wendt; sisters-in-law, Janette (Phil) Ruck, Diane (Steve) Strupp; nieces, nephews, great-nieces and great-nephews; and many great friends.
She is preceded in death by her loving husband, Arden; cherished daughter-in-law, Paula Wendt; her parents; father and mother-in-law, Lawrence and Viola Wendt; brothers and sisters-in-law: Dale and Judy Jefferson, Gary and Bev Friess, Jean Wendt; and great-niece, Caroline Gau Fitzpatrick.
Visitation will be held on Monday, April 1, 2024, from 3:00 PM to 7:00 PM at Zacherl Funeral Home, 875 E Division St, in Fond du Lac. A second visitation will be held on Tuesday, April 2, 2024, from 9:00 AM to 10:45 AM at Holy Family Catholic Church, 271 Fourth St Way, in Fond du Lac. A Mass of Christian Burial will follow the visitation at 11:00 AM. Entombment is at Calvary Cemetery Mausoleum.
In lieu of flowers, memorials will be given to the Fond du Lac Dialysis Center. Checks can be made payable to the Joan Wendt Family.
The family would like to extend a special thank you to the Fond du Lac Dialysis Center for their compassionate care over the last two and a half years. They would also like to give their thanks to Baptist Hospital of Pensacola Florida, St. Francis Home and SSM Hospice Hope for their care of Joan and support of her family during the last month.