Joanne Ruth Tibbett

Joanne Ruth Tibbett, age 86, of Neillsville, Wisconsin passed away Tuesday, March 27, 2018 at the Marshfield Medical Center after suffering a stroke, on March 18, 2018.   Joanne Ruth Pietenpol was born on June 26, 1931, in York Township, Wisconsin, the oldest child of Bernard and Isabelle (Helwig) Pietenpol.  She attended a country grade school near Granton and graduated from Neillsville High School in 1950.  After graduation she worked for a short time for an attorney in Milwaukee until Dick coaxed her back home.  On March 31, 1951, she married her high school sweetheart Richard George Tibbett at St. Mary’s Catholic Church.  Their first son, Thomas was born on January 23, 1952.  They took a short adventure to Billings, Montana but returned back to Neillsville where Marjorie was born followed by John, Jean, Linda and Julie.  Joanne stayed home and raised her kids and eventually loved watching her grandchildren and great grandchildren and loved cooking for everyone while celebrating life to the fullest.  They moved to New Richmond, Wisconsin, and Eagan, Minnesota, where she did rental leasing but they always found their way back home to Neillsville.  She and Dick did an overabundance of building and remodeling. She did furniture refinishing, reupholstery, painting and gardening.  She had a beautiful home and yard always. She enjoyed her flowers, playing Bridge, Red Hat Society, golfing, shooting pool, watching the Green Bay Packers, making Old Fashioneds and cooking.  She was a member of St. Mary’s Catholic Church and the PCCW. She enjoyed her church family very much and took joy in serving her church in ways.  But most important to mom was her family, she loved spending any time she could with family and her loyal little dog, Hunter.   She is survived by her children, Margie (Gary) Zschernitz, Neillsville, John (Kathy) Tibbett, Hudson, Wisconsin, Jean (Jim) Smagacz, Neillsville, Linda (Bob) Carlton, Lewiston, Idaho, Julie (Brad) Quicker, Neillsville, grandchildren and great grandchildren: Jason (Josie) Tibbett – McKenna, Madilyn, Chase & Rydge, Phillip (Tiffany) Tibbett – Braylon & Hudson, Travis (Wendy) Zschernitz -  Tanner & Derek,  Jennifer (Matt) Roenz- Hunter, Mason, Marshall & Kobe,  Melissa (Kyle) Illbeck- Charlie, Danny Milota, Darren Karnes, Hunter & Brooke, Amanda Smagacz, Bryan Smagacz, Justin (Kim) Carlton, Jake (Rikki) Carlton, Josh Carlton, Hannah Quicker and William Quicker.  She is further survived by a daughter-in-law, Rosie Tibbett of Neillsville, WI,  her sister, Nanc Pittman, Eau Claire, and brother, David (Mary) Pietenpol, Lake Holcomb, sisters-in-law, Shirley Tibbett and Pat Mrotek both of Neillsville.   She was preceded in death by her husband Dick, her son Tom and great granddaughter Brookelyn, her parents Bernard & Isabelle Pietenpol, a brother, Danny Pietenpol and brothers-in-law, Tom Tibbett and Rich Pittman.   A Memorial Mass of Christian Burial will be held at 10:30 a.m., Tuesday, April 3, 2018 at St. Mary’s Catholic Church in Neillsville.  Rev. Varkey V. Joseph will be the Celebrant.  Providing music will be Vicente Cortez and St. Mary’s Choir.  Visitation will be held from 4:00 p.m. to 7:00 p.m., Monday, April 2, 2018 at the Gesche Funeral Home in Neillsville and also from 9:30 a.m. to 10:30 a.m., Tuesday morning at St. Mary’s Catholic Church.  Interment will be in St. Mary’s Catholic Cemetery.   Online Condolences may be made at www.geschefh.com.   The Gesche Funeral Home is assisting Joanne’s family with funeral arrangements.