JOANN Y. FRIEND

Joann Y. Friend, 79, Burlington, died July 15, 2012, at her home surrounded by her family.

She was born on Aug. 20, 1932, in Sturtevant, to the late Harley and Mary (Reed) Osborne. She spent her early life in Union Grove and was a graduate of Union Grove High School. She went on to graduate from Normal School in Union Grove and the UW–Whitewater with a degree in teaching.

On Feb. 21, 1953, in the Union Grove Methodist Church, she married Robert W. Friend. Their 60th wedding anniversary would have been celebrated soon. Following marriage they made their home in Burlington.

She was a teacher for 35 years; most of those years were spent at the Waterford Grade School. She was also a member of St. John’s Lutheran Church. She volunteered with Meals on Wheels for many years and helped out at Love Inc. She listened to youngsters read at St. John’s School and enjoyed tutoring around her kitchen table to children who needed just a little extra help. She loved her students and was a wonderful teacher. She liked a good card game and enjoyed eating fudge while playing poker. She enjoyed fishing, reading and knitting, especially her dishrags. She was an avid baseball fan and loved a good bargain. She thought the best vacation was a trip “up north” with family.

Survivors include her loving husband; children, Kathleen (Rodger) Koester, Dalton City, Ill., Susan (Ken) Kumba, Burlington, Robert (Barb) Friend, Burlington, James (Kim) Friend, Burlington, Rebecca (Tom) Blyth, Waterloo, Deane (Sue) Friend, Fort Atkinson; grandchildren, Scott (Erin) Koester, Sarah Koester, Todd (Carlin) Koester, Mary Kumba, Nicholas (Kelly) Kumba, Jill (Frank Brooks) Kumba, Jacob Kumba, William (Dana) Friend, Andrew (Eva) Friend, Cassie Friend, Riley Friend, Dylan Friend, Coriann Dorgay, Nolan Friend, Sydney Friend, Kirsten Blyth, Hannah Blyth, Sasha (Gatlin) Fenwick, Grace Musgrave; great-grandchildren, Madison, Lyncoln, Paityn and Joshua  Koester, Cameron Brooks, Addison Kumba, Kayla and Dylan Graney, Jack and Fisher Fenwick; sisters-in-law and brothers-in-law; nieces; nephews; other relatives and many dear friends.

She was further preceded in death by her brother, Wendell Osborne, and her in-laws, John and Bertha Friend.

Visitation is Thursday, July 19, from 9:30 a.m. to noon with services at 12:30 p.m., at St. John’s Lutheran Church. The Rev. Kirk Lahmann will officiate. Inurnment is at 2 p.m., at the Southern Wisconsin Veterans Memorial Cemetery. Schuette-Daniels Family Funeral Home, Burlington, is serving the family.

The world lost an amazing person, a woman so kind, loving and inspirational to all. We celebrate the fact that she is feasting with our Lord and Savior, Jesus Christ.

The family would like to express a special thank you to the staff of Aurora VNA Hospice for all their love and support.

Memorials to St. John’s Lutheran School Library in Burlington are suggested.