Joan M. Cleveland

Joan M. Cleveland, age 82, passed away peacefully on Monday, February 12, 2007, at the Appleton Medical Center. Joan was born June 26, 1924, the daughter of the late Bernard “Barney” and Cecilia (Faust) Lamers. On September 14, 1946, Joan married Orville “Bud” Cleveland at Holy Cross Church in Kaukauna; he survives. Joan worked for several years as the Deputy City Clerk for Kaukauna, and from 1974 until 1986 served as the City Clerk. Upon her retirement, she was given a key to the city. For thirteen years, she kept the books for her husband’s business, Bud’s 66.

Joan was a woman of profound faith who prayed the rosary with her husband daily. Joan will be remembered as a dedicated and longtime member of St. Mary Catholic Church where she volunteered many hours as the bookkeeper for the renovating committee. Her keen mind made her a difficult opponent for anyone brave enough to challenge her to a game of Scrabble or Boggle. She also excelled at crossword puzzles. Joan was a talented seamstress and was able to craft all sorts of crocheted and knitted items for her loved ones. She was a member of the Lady Knights of Columbus and in her earlier years enjoyed square dancing. Joan daily admired all of God’s creation, and enjoyed the water, watching the sunset, as well as being an avid bird watcher. A passionate reader, it seemed that she read nearly a book each day.

She is survived by her husband of sixty years: Orville “Bud” Cleveland of Kaukauna; six children: Thomas (Kris) Cleveland of Cedar Rapids, Iowa; Michael (Sally) Cleveland of Kaukauna; Patrick Cleveland and his friend Barb Karas of Rapid River, Michigan; Margaret “Peg” (Steve) Vande Hey of Kaukauna; Teresa “Terri” (Arden) Bolland of Burnsville, Minnesota; Suzanne “Suzie” (Jack) Klein of Neenah.

There are also seventeen grandchildren: Heather (David) DiStefano, Brennan (Renata) Cleveland, Kyle (Valerie) Cleveland, Sean (Kristina) Cleveland, Tiffany Cleveland, Rebecca (Curt) Hietpas, Robert (fiancée Laura Schmidt) Ronk, Nicole (Tom) Ellis, Hayden “Duke” Cleveland, Nathan (Nancy) Vande Hey, Celia (Kevin) McKee, Greg (Beth) Vande Hey, Andrew Bolland, Michael Bolland, Marla Klein, Corbin Klein, and Melissa (fiancé David) Klein. Joan also leaves behind eighteen great-grandchildren, a sister: Lois (Harold) Bozile of Rhinelander; two brothers: Clarence (Shari) Lamers of DePere and Joe (Helen) Lamers of Satellite Beach, Florida; a brother-in-law: Dr. Francis Fitzmaurice of Omaha, Nebraska; a sister-in-law Alice (John) Reed of Mountain Lake, Arkansas; and a brother-in-law: Roy Cleveland of Texas. Joan was preceded in death by her parents, Bud’s parents David Cleveland and Elizabeth (Archie) Roemer; sisters Clarice (Fred) Staunton, Audrey (George) Deeg, LaVerne Fitzmaurice, a baby sister Ruth Marie Lamers, a brother-in-law Martin Kilawee; two sisters-in-law Virginia Cleveland and Genevieve Holder.

The funeral liturgy for Joan will be held at 11:00 AM on Friday, February 16, 2007 at ST. MARY CATHOLIC CHURCH, 119 W. 7th Street in Kaukauna with Fr. Jerry Pastors officiating, assisted by Deacon Steve Vande Hey and Deacon Randy Haak. Interment will be in Holy Cross Cemetery. Friends may call at the funeral home on Thursday from 4:00 PM until 8:00 PM and again Friday at the church from 10:00 AM until the hour of the Mass. There will be a parish prayer and scripture service at 7:00 PM Thursday at the funeral home. A memorial fund in Joan’s name has been established.

Joan was a loving and devoted wife, mother, grandmother, and great-grandmother. One of her greatest joys was holding and singing to the little ones. She was a source of strength and courage for her family as well as all who knew her.

FARGO FUNERAL HOME
400 W. Wisconsin Avenue
Kaukauna, Wisconsin 54130
920-766-6200