JOAN HERREID
March 18, 1936 - March 07, 2023
Obituary
Joan Elaine Herreid, 86, of Neenah, WI passed away on March 7, 2023 at Valley VNA Senior Care following declining health over the past month and a half. Joan was born March 18, 1936 in Jefferson Township, Vernon County, WI to Lawrence and Lydia (Johnson) Peterson. Joan grew up on the family dairy and tobacco farm located on County Road Y northwest of Viroqua. After graduating from Viroqua High School, Joan attended Vernon County Teachers College. It was at this time that Joan met Milford Herreid. The two were married on June 15, 1957 at Asbury Methodist Church in rural Vernon County. She later earned her bachelor's degree at UW-Oshkosh while teaching and raising a family.
Joan spent most of her married life living in the Neenah area, as well as in Buffalo City, WI. Joan and Milford owned three different cottages near Iola, Weyauwega, and Antigo. They enjoyed boating, fishing, and snowmobiling at these cottages when their two children were growing up. Joan began her teaching career at a one room schoolhouse. She was a teacher in the Neenah School system for about 30 years before retiring at age 55 in 1991. Much of that time she taught 4th grade at Tullar Elementary School.
Joan and Milford spent over 25 years at their winter home in Safford, AZ enjoying retirement. She loved the warm Arizona weather and taking jeep rides through the desert; along with her other favorite things to do: golfing, playing cards, and laughing with their Arizona friends. She enjoyed having people visit to share the good times they had out in Arizona.
Joan spent a lot of time playing the piano and was always a fan of music. She was a pro at rolling out lefse. She loved traveling, taking numerous trips around the country and the world. She was fortunate to have had such caring friends and family in her life. Joan had a special bond with her niece Sandy Kenefick; they enjoyed playing cards together. Liana (Peterson) Brogaard, her niece, was like a second daughter to Joan. Liana spent lots of time swimming, fishing, and snowmobiling with the family.
Joan is survived by her loving husband, Milford; her son, Mark (Christy) Herreid; her daughter Judy (Jeff) Oppelt; and her grandchildren Allison (Spencer Stachowski) Herreid, Alex Herreid, Jeremy Oppelt, and Jordan (Olivia) Oppelt. Joan is also survived by sisters-in-law Marline Peterson, Olivia Kenefick, and Clarice Herreid; as well as brother-in-law Ed Herreid.
Joan was preceded in death by her parents; her sister Wanda Warner and brothers Roger Peterson and Larry Peterson; sisters-in-law Karen Peterson, Anna Marie Breidenstein, and Osa Herreid; brothers-in-law Lyle Warner, Tom Herreid, Robert Kenefick, and Blaine Breidenstein.
She made so many special friends throughout the years. Thank you to all the people that brought joy to her life. Friends and family are the best and most important parts in our lives. So enjoy life like she did and create memories.
A memorial to celebrate Joan's life will be held Sunday, June 4, 2023 at Rolling Thunder Lanes, 934 Byrd Avenue, Neenah, WI starting at 11:00 AM with lunch following. Memorial gifts will go towards restoration projects at Asbury Methodist Church.