Joan Marie (Rickert) Semrow

Joan Marie Semrow, age 82, passed away peacefully on April 14, 2024.  She was born on July 31, 1941 to the late Joseph E. and Edna Rickert.  She attended St. Nicholas Catholic School and graduated from Freedom High School in 1959.  Her high school yearbook caption read “The girl with friends galore and always willing to welcome more”.  While in high school she met her future husband, Ron and they were married on October 19, 1960 at St. Nicholas Catholic Church in Freedom WI. Joan graduated from the Accredited School of Beauty Culture in Green Bay in 1960 and says her love of fixing hair started when she was a child, braiding the cow’s tails on the family farm.  She was a talented hairstylist for almost 60 years when she retired from her dear friend and employer, Karen Schultz’s business, Hairlines Inc. @ Styles Etc.  She was also an Assistant Manager at her son’s DJ Video & Tanning business for 20 years.

Joan was a wonderful wife, mother, grandmother, friend and coworker.  She especially loved spending time with family.   She always looked forward to her cousins bimonthly breakfast at Mama D’s. She enjoyed baking and was famous for her decorated cut out sugar cookies that she made for every holiday and family celebration.  She was a lifelong member of St. Nicholas Catholic Church and was always available to donate her delicious baked goods and volunteer her time. She collected angels and decorated her entire Christmas tree with angels.  She also loved all her activities over the last three years at Country Villa and spending time with her caregivers and staff.  She genuinely cared for each and every one of them.

Joan is survived by her loving husband of 63 years, Ronald Semrow; children: Darrell (Lori) Semrow, Debra (Jim) Peterson and Dennis J. Semrow; grandchildren: Sarah (Marty) Murphy, Stacy (Justin) Jacobs, Ian (Sarina) Peterson, Emily (Drew) Karl and Kelsey (Devon) Schumaker; great-grandchildren: Nora and Finn Murphy, Elle, Nate and Owen Jacobs; brothers Pat Rickert, Bill (Katie) Rickert, Dan (Joy) Rickert and Mike (Jill) Rickert; sisters: Kathy (Marv) Schiedermayer and Cindy (Mike) Ballweg; sisters-law: Mildred Sievert, Judy Rickert and brother-in-law Ron Springstroh along with many nieces, nephews, other relatives and friends.

 Joan was preceded in death by her parents; Joseph E. and Edna Rickert; siblings: Marge Springstroh, Dave and Gary Rickert; sister-in-law Mary Rickert; father and mother-in-law: Emil and Hulda Semrow; sisters and brothers-in-law: Erma (Victor) Buss, Harley (Germaine) (Selma) Semrow, Wilmer (Dolores) Semrow and Clarence Sievert; and Godparents Ed and Alice Peterson.

 The funeral Mass for Joan will be held on Friday, April 26, 2024 at 11:00 a.m. at St. Nicholas Catholic Church, W2037 County Road S, Freedom.  A time of visitation will be held on Thursday, April 25, 2024, at Verkuilen-Van Deurzen Family Funeral Home N3972 Columbia Ave., Freedom WI  5:00 p.m. until 7:00 p.m. Visitation will continue Friday, April 26, 2024, at St. Nicholas Catholic Church, from 9:00 a.m. until the time of the Mass at 11:00 a.m.  Interment will be in the Parish cemetery.  For online condolences, please visit www.verkuilenfh.com.

 In remembrance of Joan’s life, the family asks that any charitable donations be made to St. Nicholas Catholic Church or the Freedom Historical Society.

 The Semrow family would like to send our heartfelt thanks to the staff at Country Villa Freedom for their wonderful care and to St. Croix Hospice.  You treated her like family and we will be forever grateful!

 An angel lived among us, a gift from God above.  She showered us with kindness and shared with us her love. She cherished every moment with the family who were her life; walking hand in hand together, facing life with all its strife.  She loved her children dearly, each one in a different way, nestled close within her heart.  She’s gone to live with Jesus and may seem far away but will forever smile down on us and tell us she’s okay.  

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