Joan P. “Timmie” Lodzinski, 82 of Stevens Point, died early Friday morning, August 15, 2014 at St. Joseph’s Hospital in Marshfield with her loving family at her side.

Joan was born June 16, 1932 to the late Emil and Norma (Seifert) Thimke in Brillion, WI. At a young age her family moved to Clintonville where they owned and operated Thimke Jeweler’s until it was sold to Fletchers Jewelers in the late 1960’s.

Joan graduated from Clintonville Highs School in 1950 and also attended the University of Wisconsin – Stevens Point. She married Melvin “Mickey” Lodzinski on February 19, 1955 at St. Peters Catholic Church. She was a homemaker before working for the Wisconsin Lions District office in Stevens Point as their Secretary. In 1974 she and her husband Mickey took over Paul’s bar on Second Street in Stevens Point, which soon became known as Mickey’s Italian Restaurant. While Mickey took his place behind the bar, “Timmie” was in charge of the kitchen and dining room. She prepared the food every night, sending out the famous “sizzling steaks”, Friday night fish fry’s and the many other Italian dishes whose recipes were often sought after by patrons and even food publications. S

he later retired from the kitchen position to be hostess and kitchen manager as well as the bookkeeper for the restaurant. They both retired in 1998 and turned their business over to their sons Phil and Tom. But Mickey and Timmie both continued to go to the restaurant almost every night to spend time with the customers and help out when needed. Joan continued to do the same after her husband Mickey passed away on May 21, 2003 until the closing of the business in 2013. In addition to the restaurant, she owned and operated the Village Vendor Antiques Shop in Plover for over fifteen years before liquidating the business in 1998. She loved the antique business, going to auctions and garage sales looking for those treasures for the shop.

She enjoyed doing research on the items and was an avid collector herself. One of her best known collections of Salt & Pepper shakers were displayed and sold at Mickeys Restaurant. Survivors include her daughter, Jeanne (Mat) Chase of Plover and three sons Phil Lodzinski, Tom (Nancy) Lodzinski and Bob (Joni) Lodzinski all of Stevens Point. Her seven grandchildren; Robin (Rauiri) Matthews, Andy (fiancé Crystal) Lodzinski, Cara “CJ” Chase and Kelsey (fiancé Alex) Chase, Toria and Hunter Lodzinski and Shayna Lodzinski. Two step grandchildren Aaron (Brenda) Cordy and Samantha (Mike) Anderson. Two great grandchildren Hailey Fischer and Isabella Lodzinski. She was preceded in death by her husband Mickey and one brother Ray Thimke.

Mass of Christian Burial will be 10:30 A.M. Wednesday, August 20, 2015 at St. Peters Catholic Church. Rev. Arul Joseph Visuvasam officiating. Burial will be in the Guardian Angel Cemetery. Family and friends may call from 4:00 to 8:00 P.M. Tuesday at the Pisarski/Dzikoski Funeral Home of Stevens Point and from 9:30 A.M. Wednesday at the St. Faustina Room of St. Peters Church until the time for mass. There will be a parish rosary at 7:00 P.M. Tuesday evening at the funeral home. Online condolences may be sent by visiting www.pisarskifuneralhome.com