JoAnn A. (Kitzman) Zoern

JoAnn Zoern, age 79 of Weyauwega, formerly of Clintonville passed away Thursday morning, August 27, 2020 at the Crossroads Care Center in Weyauwega.

JoAnn Arlyn (Kitzman) (Schlender) Zoern was born in Iola, WI on August 3, 1941 as the daughter of the late Christian “Richard” and Emma (Swenson) Kitzman of Clintonville. She was the granddaughter of Gustav and Jenni Swenson of Iola and Sweden, and of Kristgan and Ottilga Kitzmann of Big Falls, Prussia, and Austria. JoAnn graduated from Clintonville High School in 1959 and was married later that year to the late Raymond Schlender of Marion. They lived in California and also Puerto Rico, where the lizards would walk right into the house for breakfast. After Raymond’s passing, she married Walter Zoern of Antigo. She had two sons, one passing into the Father’s hands before birth, and Raymond “Bill” Schlender Zoern who preceded her in death in 2008. JoAnn loved to sing. Until recently, she sang lead in the nursing home singing group, with the other JoAnn, called “The Song Birds”, and enjoyed putting on their Christmas, Valentines, and St. Patrick’s Day programs. “What a Wonderful World” was played at the end of each one, as she would look at her family and friends who came, and said the ending part “I love you”. With the ability to play piano by ear, her piano was one of her favorite possessions. She played “How Great Thou Art” and listened to Elvis records. Anytime the Statler Brothers were in Wisconsin, Walter and her were sure to go see them. When she was younger she loved to polka and do the Flying Dutchman, especially at the yearly traditioin of the Big Falls Corn Roast. On fall days, making homemade Swedish Apple Pie with hours of peeling bushels of apples, shucking sweet corn, and watching the Packers was a yearly event. JoAnn loved to collect hats, win prizes at Bingo at the nursing home to give to her grandchildren, and collect Christmas ornaments. She looked forward to the Swenson family reunion yearly, and had a love for giraffes, RC cola, and York Peppermint Patties.  

Survivors include:

Daughters: Tamara Peppler of Clintonville & Terry Robertson of Antigo.

Daughter-in-law: Michele Hulett.

10 Grandchildren: Casey (Todd) Peterson, Gabriel (Nikki) Zoern, Mical (Jolynn) Zoern, Christopher Peppler, Cole Robertson, Amanda (Ben) Cunliffe, Kyle Robertson, Kimberly Robertson, Stephanie Peppler, and Marissa Peppler.

5 Great-Grandchildren: Jared, Jaxon, Xander, & Xachariah Zoern, and Sophia Grace Cunliffe; newly born on August 21, 2020.

Brother: John (Wendy) Kitzman

Brother-in-law: Robert Hacker

She is also survived by many special cousins, nieces, nephews, and special friends. She spoke often of her life-long friends; Dee Dove and Mary Zenefski.

She was preceded in death by her parents, her son Raymond “Bill” Schlender Zoern, another son at birth, her sister Janet Hacker, and her sister-in-law Norma Kitzman.

JoAnn’s memorial service will be held Tuesday, September 8, 2020 at 11 AM at Christus Lutheran Church in Clintonville with Rev. Shelly Klemp officiating. Inurnment will follow at the Big Falls Cemetery in Big Falls. Visitation will be held at the church Tuesday from 9:30AM until the time of service. The Eberhardt-Stevenson Funeral Home & Crematory of Clintonville is assisting her family. www.eberhardtstevenson.com