Joan Mae Ponto

Joan Mae (Strong) Ponto, Greenville passed away on Dec 3, 2020 at Theda Care Hospital in Neenah, with her family by her side.

Joan was born the youngest of 6 children at home in the Town of Maine on Dec 9, 1933 to Samuel D. and Nettie Mae (Fields) Strong. The last born, she was also the last of her family to pass when she surrendered to a long battle with COPD, finally succumbing to a stroke at her residence. She graduated from Hortonville High school in 1952 and married Jim Ponto in 1953 at Bethlehem Lutheran Church in Hortonville. They moved to Greenville in 1962, where together they raised their family and resided until her passing.

Joan was the ultimate supper club waitress. She was often the first to help open a new venture. She worked at many landmark restaurants, including Club Terrace, the original Holiday Inn, Nino’s Steak Roundup, The Manor House, The Peppermill, and also Michael’s of Menasha and Mer & Jackie’s Supper Club. After retiring, she filled the empty hours by going back to work at the 10 & 45 Citgo for a short time. An avid NASCAR and Jeff Gordon fan she would always root for ‘her driver’. She was also frequently seen at the Green Bay casinos, always being teased about “going to work”.

She is survived by her husband of 67 years, Jim, 3 sons: Leslie (Pam), Neenah, Michael of Edgewood NM, James Jr (Theresa) of Combined Locks. Also 2 daughters: Linda (Dennis) Micke, Brillion and Brenda VanDyke, DePere. 3 Grandchildren: Kimberly VanDyke, Green Bay, Aaron Micke, Brillion and Daniel Ponto, Combined Locks. Many nieces, nephews, relatives, and countless friends.

She was preceded in passing by her parents, 4 sisters: Janice Zimmerman Ziesemer, Janet Magadanz Diestler, Jacqueline Bessette and Joyce Strong, a brother Merton Strong and her oldest granddaughter Samantha Erin Ponto (Leslie and Pam Ponto). Also preceded in death by many relatives and friends.

The family would like to thank the Appleton Airport First Responders, Greenville First Responders and Gold Cross Ambulance for the impressively quick response and professional care. We also send a special Thank You to the emergency room staff at AMC and the entire staff of the 2nd floor neurology unit at Theda Clark, Neenah for their delicate and dedicated care shown Joan and family during this difficult time, it means a lot.

There will be a funeral service for Joan on Tuesday, December 8, 2020 at 1:00pm at Wichmann Funeral Home, 537 N. Superior Street in Appleton. There will be a gathering for family and friends prior to the service, from 11:30am to 1:00pm at the funeral home. For more information and to express condolences, please visit www.wichmannfuneralhomes.com.

I believe my steps are growin’ wearier each day
Still I’ve got another journey on my mind
Lures of this old world have ceased to make me wanna stay
And my one regret is leavin’ you behind

But if it proves to be his will that I am first to go
And somehow I’ve a feelin’ it will be
When it comes your time to travel likewise, don’t feel lost
For I will be the first one that you’ll see

And I’ll be waiting on the far side banks of Jordan
I’ll be sitting drawing pictures in the sand
And when I see you coming, I will rise up with the shout
And come running through the shallow waters, reaching for your hand

Through this life we’ve labored hard to earn our meager fare
It’s brought us trembling hands and failing eyes
So I’ll just rest here on this shore and turn my eyes away
Until you come, then we’ll see paradise

Original song by Terry Smith