Joan M. Matthews
Joan M Matthews (nee Braun)
passed away on December 24, 2019 at the Hospice Home of Hope. She celebrated
the birth of her Savior in heaven with the angels.
Joan was born on July 20,
1935 in Fond du Lac, WI. Joan pursued a
variety of interests after graduating from Random Lake High School. Her
journeys took her to a variety of places but ultimately, she returned to her
roots and settled back at home in Fond du Lac with her husband, Harry
Matthews. Joan and Harry were
entrepreneurs. They owned and operated
several businesses including the minor bar at Columbia Park and Harry’s
Lakeview. Joan obtained her real estate
license in 1967 and was proud of the fact that she held a valid license until
early in 2018. Real Estate was a passion that Joan pursued with vigor. It was a
career that best suited her natural abilities.
Joan acted as broker at Wauwatosa Realty until opening Matthews V Realty
which was the first company that was franchised in Fond du Lac. She was both an ERA and Century 21 broker
house until finally relinquishing the franchise to continue in her later years
as Stars USA. During her career, Joan
served as the 1st woman President of the Fond du Lac Board of
Realtors and was instrumental in the establishment of the Fond du Lac Multiple
Listing Service. She was also recognized
by the local Board as a Realtor of the Year.
That honor meant a lot to her. Joan loved real estate and loved working
with customers and maintaining rental properties until she could no longer do
so. She always said that she wished that
all people could enjoy their work and career as much as she did because it was
a blessing.
Joanie’s determination and drive impacted
everyone. She was a one-of-a-kind woman
and her legacy is one that will be remembered by many. She was a force. Anyone that truly knew her knows how true
this is.
Joanie is survived by her
husband of 62 years, Harry as well as by her daughter Paula Thalacker (Brian),
2 sons, Tom (Karen) and Mike (Andrea Wimmer) and 1 stepson, Cary (Phyllis) of
Dubuque, IA. She is also survived by 11
grandchildren, 8 great grandchildren and her sister, Judy Braun (Mike Herzer).
Faithful friends include Jill, Kathy and Janet.
Shelly Swenson was special to Joan and was her right hand helper and
best loved assistant. Joan’s family is
extremely thankful for Shelly and for her faithfulness.
Joan was preceded in death by
her parents, Clarence and Marie Braun, and her sister, Shirley Wirtz.
Special Thanks and
appreciation to the Hospice House of Hope caregivers who have such huge servant
hearts and who serve with such grace.
Those of us left behind with
our personal memories of Joan can be certain of one thing for sure…she will
busy herself in heaven not just praising Jesus but also by finding and
preparing just the right parcel of real estate for each of us when we join
her.
Private family services and a
celebration of Joan’s life will be held at a later date. Memorials may be directed to Hospice Home of
Hope, 400 County Road K, Fond du Lac, WI 54937.
Kurki-Mach Funeral Chapel
& Crematory is serving the family, www.kurkimachfuneralchapel.com. 920-921-4420