Joanne A. Young, age 81, of Stevens Point, passed away February 3, 2014 at the Portage County Health Care Center while under the care of Heartland Hospice and surrounded by family.

Joanne was born May 22, 1932 to the late Harold & Evren (Bessey) Chapman at her grandparents home in Antigo, WI. She grew up in Birnamwood, WI, attended the local schools and graduated from Birnamwood High School as valedictorian in 1950.  Following high school, she attended Wisconsin State College-Stevens Point (UWSP) and graduated with a B.A. in English and History in 1954.

She married Roland (Ron) Young on October 6, 1956 at the First Congregational Church in Birnamwood, WI.

Joanne worked as a librarian at the Green Bay Public Library for two years before her marriage. While raising her five daughters and volunteering at various libraries, she always maintained her passion for books and learning. Joanne was a long time member of St. Paul’s United Methodist Church and devoted member of the United Methodist Women where she was instrumental in the Mission Network, Rachel Circle and the reading program. She was also very dedicated to organizing the church library.

Joanne was the matriarch of her family. She was the one to set the tone for family activities and was very influential to her children & grandchildren. She will be remembered for her avid interest in politics, current events and Methodist missions. In her spare time, she also enjoyed collecting antiques, gardening, researching genealogy, bird-watching and traveling the United States. Her priority though was spending family time at the cottage in Three Lakes.

Joanne is survived by her loving husband of 57 years, Ron of Stevens Point; children, Paula (Christopher) Sheridan of Colorado Springs, CO, Laurel Young-Koconis (George Koconis) of Wisconsin Rapids, Carol (Thomas) Kerske of Stevens Point, Janet Anderson of Sheboygan, WI; Judy Young of Stevens Point; grandchildren, Kyle and Kerry Sheridan, Lisa (Matt) Waters, Joseph, Peter (Lauren Arendt) & Mary Koconis, Allison Kerske, Silvey and Sadie Anderson. She is further survived by one great-grandson, Jasper Kerske and numerous cousins and in-laws.

She was preceded in death by her parents; brother, John Chapman; and son-in-law, Brian Anderson.

A Funeral Service will be held 11 a.m., Saturday, February 8, 2014, at St Paul’s United Methodist Church with Rev. Howard Hintzman officiating. A visitation will be held at the church on Saturday from 9 a.m. until the time of service. A memorial will be made in her name to St. Paul’s United Methodist Church for UMCOR and Women In Action. Online condolences may be made at www.bostonfuneralhome.net.

The family would like to thank Home Instead, Heartland Hospice, and Portage County Heath Care Center care workers for their devoted care to Joanne.

Boston Funeral Home

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715-344-4223