Joan Schaefer, Town of Buchanan, age 90, died Friday, December 20, 2019.  She was born in Appleton on February 2, 1929 to the late Alois and Theresa (Kronser) Bruex.  Joan married Norbert Schaefer on January 18, 1949 at Holy Angels Parish.  He preceded her in death on April 11, 2019, after 70 years of marriage.  Joan was a devoted Catholic and shared her time and talents with the church in many capacities, including making rosaries and volunteering her time at Salvatorian Missions.  She was a gifted homemaker that quilted, sewed, knitted, crocheted, gardened, canned and baked.  Her homemade bread will be missed by her family and friends.

Joan is survived by her children:  Bob (Lynn) Schaefer, New London; MaryAnn Schaefer, Menasha; Diane (Kendal) Howard, Stoughton; Susanne (Kurt) Schumacher, Neenah; Elizabeth "Betty" (Bill) Riley, Town of Buchanan; Carl (Mary) Schaefer, Appleton; Henry "Hank" (Diana) Schaefer, Brillion; Ed (Mina) Schaefer, New London; Michael (Lilia) Schaefer, Sahuarita, AZ; Kathy (Dan) Kuen, Appleton; and John (Kerri) Schaefer, Hollandtown; grandchildren:  Nick Schaefer, Cullen Schaefer, Tara Howard, Megan (Owen) Butler, Kris (Patty) Schumacher, Nichole (Joe) Kemp, Lindsey (Lukasz) Glowacki, Kelly Canterbury, Kristin (Branden) Ahrens, Stephanie (Danny) Ramadan, Jennifer (Brandon) Miller, Jayson Schaefer, Jessica Schaefer, Bryan Schaefer, Ashley Schaefer, Michael Kuen, Dale (Melissa) Kuen, Ada Schaefer, Solon Schaefer, and Bron Schaefer; great grandchildren:  Oliver, Willow and Quinn Butler; Evangeline and Eliot Kemp; Adrian Glowacki; Ryker, Radyn and Dexyn Ahrens; Lorelei Riley-Burbach; Jorja Canterbury; Paige and Emily Ramadan; Sydney, Eden, and Morgan Miller; and sister-in-law, Monica Bruex.  She is further survived by nieces, nephews, her lifetime friends Pat Pechotta and Betty Van Thiel, and other relatives and friends.

In addition to her parents and husband, Norbert, Joan was preceded in death by her brothers Norman, Bob, John and Victor; sister-in-law, Lorraine (Ervin) Grishaber; other relatives and many friends.

Visitation will be held Monday, January 20, 2020 at HOLY SPIRIT PARISH – DARBOY CHURCH (W2806 County Road KK) beginning at 10:00 a.m. until time of Mass at 12:00 p.m.  The Rev. Carl Schmitt will officiate.  Committal Holy Angels Cemetery.

Joan's family would like to thank the staff at Rennes Health and Rehab Center-Appleton, with special appreciation extended to Marie, Nichole, Annette, Claire, and Diane for their compassion and excellent care. Additional gratitude to Mackenzie and others at Ascension hospice care.