Joan M. (Petersen) Browne

Surrounded by her loving family, Joan M. Browne, age 69, passed away Thursday, May 10, 2012, at her residence following a battle with brain cancer. Joan was born in Racine, September 29, 1942, daughter of the late Irving L. and Mildred E. (Nee: Freitag) Petersen.

Joan was a graduate of William Horlick High School “Class of 1960.” On April 8, 1961, at Communion Lutheran Church in Racine she was united in marriage to William C. Browne. After many years of staying at home to raise her family, Joan started working part-time at North Side Bank to buy the family a tent camper. After earning her banking degree, Joan went on to work for thirty years, retiring from Wells Fargo as a personal banker in 2008. She was a fifty-year member and actively involved in the UCT (United Commercial Travelers) serving as Wisconsin Grand Counselor, Senior Counselor, and took great pride in organizing the Christmas party for the children and volunteering with Special Olympics. She was a member of Prince of Peace Lutheran Church. First and foremost, Joan dedicated her time to her children and grandchildren and all of their activies. She will be deeply missed.

Survivors include her loving husband of fifty-one years, Bill; her children, David Browne, Terri (Joe) Renguette, Rick (Aida) Browne; her grandchildren, Zack Browne, Michael Renguette (fiancée, Stephanie), Patrick, Daniel and Elizabeth Renguette, Jennifer Browne, Kattie (Harrison) Nelson; brother, Jerry (Joan) Petersen; brothers-in-law and sister-in-law, Murl (Joan) Browne, Charles Browne; special friends, Donna and Don Hart, Curt and Sue Barnes; nieces, nephews, other relatives and many dear friends. In addition to her parents, she was preceded in death by her infant daughter, Shelly; brother, Steve Petersen; and sister-in-law, Gloria Petersen.

Funeral services will be held Wednesday, May 16, 2012, at 11 a.m. at Prince of Peace Lutheran Church, 4340 Six Mile Road, with Rev. Larry Sheppard officiating. Interment will follow at West Lawn Memorial Park. Relatives and friends may meet with the family Tuesday at the funeral home from 5 p.m. until 7 p.m. and Wednesday at the church from 10:30 a.m. until time of service at 11 a.m. Memorials to Prince of Peace Preschool have been suggested.

A very special thank you to Heartland Hospice, Dr. Wade Mueller, Dr. Joseph Bovi, and Dr. Jennifer Connelly of Froedtert Memorial Hospital for their loving and compassionate care.

MARESH-MEREDITH & ACKLAM FUNERAL HOME
803 Main St., Racine    (262) 634-7888