Joan K. Moder

Joan K. Moder passed away peacefully at home, on Friday, November 7, 2025 with two of her six children, and a grandson, at her side. She is the daughter of Klementine (Stypa) and Harold Hassell, born January 25, 1936, in Sigel, Wisconsin. Joan is the second oldest of 13 children.

Joan attended St. Mary’s Catholic School in Bear Creek, Wisconsin where she first met Duane, the love of her life, in the seventh grade. They later became highschool sweethearts, graduating from Bear Creek High School in 1954. She was an ‘A’ student, and senior class president, with Duane as her vice-president. While Duane was still in the Marine Corp, they joined their lives in the Sacrament of Holy Matrimony on December 28, 1955 at St. Mary’s Catholic Church in Bear Creek. While Duane was in the service, Joan lived and worked in Evanston, Illinois as a nanny and then an office worker. Once Duane finished his Marine Corp service, he and Joan could truly begin their life together, and start their family - they moved to Des Plaines, Illinois and then to Mt. Prospect, Illinois. When their first few children were school age, Joan took a part time retail position at Goldblatts department store which allowed her to use her employee discount on top of sale prices, to assist with her growing family's clothing needs. In 1980, they moved to Aurora, Illinois with their three youngest children. Here, they purchased a quick print shop and the old high school roles of president and vice president were switched, as Duane became president, and Joan vice president, of Valley Instant Printing. In 1982, they purchased Invitations Etc. - a wedding/anniversary invitation, accessories, and gift shop which Joan managed for at least 13 years (two daughters also worked with her there in that time.) The store was eventually sold, and Joan soon became a caregiver for her mother Klementine - first in Aurora, and then they all moved back to Wisconsin to Klem’s house.

Throughout her life, the most important thing to Joan was the beautiful, Catholic faith her mother raised her with. Her faith helped guide her through every aspect of the joys and the sufferings of her life, especially in her marriage, as a parent, and in her family. She followed in her mother’s example in trying to share this Faith with her own family. Expressions of this were her involvement in parish life at the churches they belonged to such as St. Emily in Mt. Prospect, St. Rita of Cascia in Aurora, and Holy Spirit in Kimberly. She was a part of the Blue Army, and later in life the Knights of Columbus Ladies Auxiliary. Joan and Duane were also involved in Worldwide Marriage Encounter for a number of years. After her faith, her marriage and family was next in importance. She and Duane enjoyed visiting their parents and siblings. One of Joan’s greatest joys was spending time with her children, grandchildren, and great-grandchildren. Holiday gatherings were always busy and fun, and she always tried to keep the focus of the gathering with God at the center whether giving thanks to God at Thanksgiving, reminding us “Jesus is the Reason for the Season” at Christmas, or celebrating that Christ is Risen at Easter. She had a beautiful gift of hospitality for both family and friends, as she hosted many family gatherings in her various homes throughout the years. Joan enjoyed bowling, and participated in leagues for a few years. She was also interested in handwriting analysis, which she tried her hand at for a few years. She enjoyed music,(she even started to learn how to play an accordion for a while,) singing and dancing - and bought a karaoke machine not too long after they became available for general use. She and Duane also enjoyed square dancing for a few years.

Joan is survived by her children, Duane (Christy) Moder, Linda Michael, Christine (Alan) Vidmar, Dennis (Kris) Moder and Julianne (Steve) Smith; and her daughter-in-law, Shari Moder. She is further survived by her grandchildren, Heather (Mike) Lonze, Mark Moder Jr (Jenna), Brandon Moder, Dane Moder, Daniel Vidmar, Collin Michael, Stephanie Vidmar, Erik Michael, Roland (Sonya) Moder, MaryCatherine Moder, Nicholas Vidmar, Nolan (Courtney) Moder, Joanne (Stevie) Mehalic, Arielle Michael, Michaela (Garrett) Day, Devin (Agnes) Moder, Noah (Maria) Smith, Miranda Smith, Isaiah Smith, and Joshua Smith. Joan is also happy to have 21 great-grandchildren. She is also survived by 9 brothers and sisters.

Joan is preceded in death by her husband of 67 ½ years Duane Moder; their son, Mark Moder; two grandsons; her parents; and three of her brothers.

A visitation will be held on Monday, November 17, 2025 from 4:30 - 7:00pm at Jansen-Fargo Funeral Home, 204 E. Kimberly Ave, Kimberly, WI 54136. A second visitation will also available on Tuesday, November 18, 2025 from 10:00 - 11:00am at Holy Spirit Catholic Church, 600 E. Kimberly Ave, Kimberly, Wi 54136 with a Mass of Christian Burial to follow at 11:00am. Joan will be laid to rest at St. Joseph Cemetery in Appleton, WI.