Joan Lorine (Hostrawser) Liban

Joan L. Liban, 85, passed away at Wheaton Franciscan Health Care – All Saints on December 31, 2011.

Joan was born in Milwaukee to the late Paul and Lorine Gilbert on December 3, 1926. After the death of her mother when Joan was three days old and her father’s death at the age of 4, she was adopted by her paternal grandparents, the late Roy and Edith Gilbert. She lived in West Allis for most of her life.

Joan was a graduate of West Allis Hale High School. On February 14, 1948, she married her high school sweetheart, Dean Hostrawser. He preceded her in death on March 25, 1981.

Joan was employed as a Personal Lines Underwriter for the Robert Owen and Assoc. Insurance Agency for 25 years. She retired in 1988. On February 9, 1991, she was united in marriage to Merle Liban who also preceded her in death on March 4, 1995.

Joan was a member of First United Methodist Church in West Allis and, later, Christ Church United Methodist in Racine. She enjoyed volunteering her time at Aurora Saint Luke’s Hospital in Milwaukee.

Survivors include her dearly loved daughter, Claudia (Michael) Widen; grandchildren, Paul (Ann) Widen and Megan (David) Gundry; great-grandsons, Jacob and Weston Gundry; other relatives and friends. She was also preceded in death by two sisters, Viola (Joseph) Segrin and Bessie (George) Stolowski.

A memorial celebration in honor of Joan’s life will be held at the Wilson Funeral Home on Thursday, January 5, 2012, at noon. Private inurnment will be held at Highland Memorial Park Cemetery in New Berlin. Relatives and friends may meet with the family from 10 a.m. until the time of service.

The family would like to thank April, Mary and Kathy of Wheaton Franciscan Home Hospice and Dr. Brady Welsh for their compassionate and dedicated care of Joan.

Wilson Funeral Home
1212 Lathrop Ave., Racine (262) 634-3361