Joan "Joanie" Giovanoni

HURLEY, Wis. - Joan "Joanie" Giovanoni was a caring wife, mom, grandma, friend, and mentor to many. She left this world and was reunited with her soulmate, Jack Giovanoni, on May 27, 2021.

The simplest pleasures in life brought great joy to Joanie. She was a food connoisseur, a professional shopper, a talented knitter and crafter, but most importantly a lover of quality time with her family and close friends.

Joanie was born April 27, 1935, in Hurley, daughter of the late Freddie and Elecy Fontecchio. She graduated from J.E. Murphy High School with the class of 1953. She attended the University of Wisconsin-Superior and was a proud member of the Delta Sigma Sorority.

She married the love of her life and high school sweetheart, Jack Giovanoni, on April 28, 1956, in Milwaukee. Together they shared more than 60 years of memories, building a family, traveling to Arizona, and visiting as many casinos as humanly possible. Joan and her husband, Jack, took over the family business (Giovanoni's) in 1962.

Joanie was a proud member of her community. She volunteered her time as a Brownie leader, taught as a second grade teacher at Saint Mary's Catholic School, and enjoyed sharing her talent of knitting with others. Joanie and Jack managed the Fiesta for several years as well.

Additionally, they volunteered and traveled extensively with the Iron County Ambassadors Drum and Bugle Corps. Together Joanie and Jack were spirited supporters of Hurley athletics, and their grandkids, Jacob and Bryann's No. 1 fans. Just as her love for her close family was boundless, her love for the Green Bay Packers and Phoenix Suns was strong. She often created her own chants to cheer her teams on, "Go Pack, Go, you know how to do it; so show us how you do it, come on you can do it."

Joanie leaves behind her two beloved daughters, Jill (Rich) Tilton and Jaclyn (Whitey) Stengard; grandchildren and lights of her life, Jacob (Vicki) Tilton and Bryann Stengard; her great-granddaughter, Jayna Tilton, who she admired beyond measure; and her many packages from QVC and Shop LC.

Besides her parents, grandparents, and several aunts and uncles, she was preceded in death by her husband and best friend, Jack Giovanoni; brother, Dexie Fontecchio.

Cremation has taken place.

A celebration of Joan's life will take place on July 24, from 3 to 6 p.m., at her grandson, Jacob's home, 1009 Division St., Hurley.

"What we once enjoyed and deeply loved we can never lose, for all that we love deeply becomes part of us." - Helen Keller