Johanna Marie "Jo" Heider

Johanna Marie “Jo” Heider, age 86, of Neenah, passed away peacefully at her home on July 7, 2021 with her family at her side. Jo was born on August 14, 1934, the youngest of seven children, to George and Johanna (Verhallen) Koenen. She was a graduate of Kimberly High School, Class of 1952, graduating number 4 in her class of 70. Jo met her future husband George at a Wayne King Dance at the Cinderella Ballroom in 1956 and was united in marriage to him on December 29, 1956. George and Johanna lived in Neenah since they married and lived in their current home for the last 54 years. She started working at the Institute of Paper Chemistry as a payroll clerk and had various other jobs over the years. She retired from the Town of Menasha Park/Street Department in 1997. Johanna enjoyed spending time with her family, and took great pride in raising her two children and teaching them the values of everyday life. She loved to garden and bird watch and took pride in her gladiolus. She enjoyed being outside, mowing the grass and traveling with George to his Marine Corps reunions. She was a selfless hard worker and always put everyone else’s needs before her own.

Johanna is survived by her husband of 64 years, George Heider, two children: Shirley (Jerry) Mardis and Paul (Lynn) Heider, four grandchildren: Sarah (Joe) Kubichek, Stephen Wurzer, Matthew (Devon) Heider, and Johnathon Heider. She is further survived by her sister Margaret Pennings and many nieces, nephews and other relatives and friends.

She was preceded in death by her parents; four sisters, Adrianna, Harriet, Gertrude and Mildred as well as a brother Antony.

There will be a Mass of Christian Burial held for Johanna on Wednesday, July 14, 2021 at 11:00am at St. Gabriel Parish, 900 Geiger Street in Neenah with Fr. Bob Kollath officiating. Visitation will be at the church on Wednesday from 10:00am to 11:00am. Interment will be at Highland Memorial Park in Appleton. Wichmann Funeral Homes, Tri County Chapel is serving the family. For more information and to express condolences, please visit www.wichmannfuneralhomes.com.

The family would like to thank ALL the staff and nurses with AseraCare Hospice for the support and compassion they showed Johanna and her family through this difficult time, especially Tammy, RN and Jaime, Aide. Also, special thanks to caregiver Joan with Home Instead and Tom the Advocap Meal Delivery Driver, who asked every day how things were going and left them with a “Joke of the Day” and a smile.

“We will hold you in our hearts until we can hold you again in Heaven.”

“I’ll love you forever and a day. Because you are mine, I walk the line.” – Love George