Joan E. Ward

Joan Elaine Ward of Crandon and formerly of Kenosha, WI passed away peacefully after a long battle with cancer on Thursday, March 30, 2017 at AngelsGrace Hospice surrounded by the love of her family at age 83. She was born in Grand Rapids, MI on February 10, 1934 the daughter of Earl and Evelyn (nee Beekhuis) Bouwman. On November 8, 1969, she married James L. Ward; he preceded her in death. Joan graduated from Bronson Methodist Hospital School of Nursing in Kalamazoo, MI. For over 20 years she worked as a registered nurse and later in her career was Vice President of Nursing at St. Catherine’s Hospital in Kenosha. Joan enjoyed living in the northwoods, needlework, knitting, traveling but most of all loved spending time with her grandchildren.
She will be sadly missed by her children, James (Deborah) Holder of Florida, David (Sue) Holder of Michigan and Patricia (Jeffrey) Marti of Waukesha, her step-children, Sandra Svob of Illinois, the late Ronald (Margaret) Ward of Kenosha and Linda (the late Robert) Zdenek of Florida, her grandchildren, Lori Stranahan, Ericka Zdenek-McKibbin, Samantha Wells, Stephanie Ward, Megan Ward, Devon Holder, Eric Holder, Sarah Marti and Hannah Marti and 14 great-grandchildren. She is further survived by her sister Nancy Lewis of Florida and Dale Bouwman of Michigan along with many nieces, nephews, other relatives and friends.
Private family services will be held at Randle-Dable-Brisk Funeral Home in Waukesha, WI. Interment will be at Crandon Cemetery, Crandon, WI. Memorials in Joan’s name are appreciated to AngelsGrace Hospice, N74 W35908 Servants’ Way, Oconomowoc, WI 53066.