Joanne Kline

Joanne Kline, née Kristaponis, beloved wife, mother, and grandmother, passed away peacefully on Friday, October 18, 2024, at ProHealth AngelsGrace Hospice in Oconomowoc. She was 74. 

Joanne was born on December 17, 1949, as the only child of Albert “Al” and Helen Kristaponis. She attended Penn State where she studied biology, her lifelong passion. Joanne married Daniel C. Kline on December 14, 1980, in Corvallis, Oregon. Shortly after, they moved to West Bend, Wisconsin, where they would remain lifelong residents.  

Joanne worked for 23 years as a water resources scientist with the Wisconsin Department of Natural Resources, later moving into private conservation ecology consulting. She was a powerful advocate for conservancy and community education programs. Joanne sat on the boards of the Western Great Lakes Bird and Bat Observatory, the Wisconsin Dragonfly Society, Lac Lawrann Conservancy, the Ozaukee Washington Land Trust, and the Friends of the West Bend Community Memorial Library. 

Joanne is survived by her two sons, Jonathan (Anna) and Timothy (Christina), and her grandchildren, Thomas, Quinn, and Carinna. She was preceded in death by her husband.  

The family would like to express appreciation to ProHealth AngelsGrace Hospice for their compassionate care of Joanne and her family.  

In lieu of flowers, the family suggests donations to the Friends of the West Bend Community Memorial Library.  

A small gathering for remembrance and regaling will be held on Friday November 8th, from 5:00pm-8:00pm at the Maurin Center at Lac Lawrann Conservancy. 300 Schmidt Rd. West Bend, WI 53090.