Joan Wrege

OSHKOSH, Wis. - Joan Wrege, 79, of Oshkosh, formerly of Bessemer, Mich., passed away Thursday, Nov. 22, 2018, surrounded by her family at Aurora Medical Center in Oshkosh.

A celebration of her life will be at noon Saturday, Dec. 8, at Poklasny Funeral Home, 870 W. South Park, Oshkosh, officiated by William Urbrock of Oshkosh, retired professor of religious studies at the University of Wisconsin-Oshkosh. A visitation with the family will be from 11 a.m. until the time of the service. Please share messages, memories or photos at fissbillspoklasnyfuneralhome.com.

Donations and memorials can be made to St. Jude Children's Research Hospital.

Joan was born on Dec. 24, 1938, in Wabeno, Wis., to the late Joseph and Marion (Peterson) Buchko. She grew up in Bessemer on a farm. After graduating from high school, she worked for the telephone company in the Milwaukee area for many years, before retiring as a supervisor from Ameritech in 1991 and eventually moving back to Bessemer.

Survivors include her son, Richard (Louise) Wrege, of St. Joseph, Mich .; two grandsons, Blake Wrege, of Sacramento, Calif., and Chad Wrege, of St. Joseph; two sisters, Barbara Ghellar, of Oshkosh, and Claudette (Clyde) Taivalmaa, of Ironwood, Mich .; two brothers, Joseph (Becky) Buchko, of Wakefield, Mich., and Gerald (Mary) Buchko, of Canada; a sister-in-law, Barbara (William) Urbrock, of Oshkosh; and many nieces, nephews, cousins and friends.

She was preceded in death by a brother, Ronald Buchko.