Jan. 30, 2017 – West Bend, WI – JoAnne Gehrke (nee Wysocki) passed into Eternal Life on Jan. 29, 2017. Born to Raymond and Violetta (nee Gilbert) Wysocki on January 6, 1956, she graduated from West Bend West High School in 1974.
An avid cook, she worked for several area restaurants include Bublitz’s Family Restaurant in Hartford, Schneider’s Restaurant in the Town of Polk, and the Parkside Café in Jackson.
For several years she was a co-owner of Jo*Ann’s Parkside Café in Jackson. She also worked for many years as a cook at West Bend Mutual.
JoAnne was an active member of Christ Evangelical Lutheran Church in Jackson as a Sunday School and Vacation Bible School teacher, leader of the youth group, and participated in women of the church and quilting groups.
She married David Gehrke November 7, 1992 and became a mother to David’s young son Christopher. JoAnne and David led an active life involving railroading and model trains. They hosted an open house twice a year at their West Bend home after moving there in 1993. Hundreds of friends and railroad fans attended every year.
In the last 10 years JoAnne was a social organizer with the Milwaukee Light Engineering Society. Wherever JoAnne and David were involved, JoAnne could be counted on to be at the center of activity. She was a lively, social person who loved to make everyone feel welcome.
A ruthless organizer, JoAnne made sure there would be enough hands to share the work, enough good food to keep all the helpers fueled, and enough company to make every gathering a joyful one.
She is survived by her husband David, their son Christopher (Heidi), mother-in-law Edith Gehrke, sister-in-law Ines (Terry) Voss, her brother Michael (Jenna) Wysocki, other relatives, and countless friends.
