Joanne M. Stefl

It is with great sadness that the family of Joanne M. (Knauf) Stefl, age 77, announce her passing. Joanne passed away peacefully Tuesday morning, March 6, 2018, at her home in Escanaba surrounded by her loving husband and family.  

Joanne was born in Escanaba on July 14, 1940, the daughter of Lawrence and Marie (LeBeau) Knauf. She attended Webster Elementary and graduated from Holy Name High School 1958. Joanne married Lowell Stefl on April 23, 1960 in Bark River.  They made their home on a dairy and potato farm in Cornell for 34 years where they raised their seven children.  The couple later moved to Escanaba in 1994.  

Joanne loved caring for those around her and did so meticulously throughout her entire life. She always had as smile on her face and a fire in her heart. She lived passionately and it showed in everything she did. Joanne was never one to sit down and let the world go by, she was an active and involved member of her community, as evidenced recently by her lifetime achievement award for her instrumental work with education and involvement of women in Farm Bureau since the late 1960s. Joanne was additionally involved in 4H, U.P Steam and Gas Engine Village, U.P. State Fair Board, Flat Rock and St. Anne’s choir, Republican Party of Escanaba, St. Vincent De Paul, St. Anne’s golf outing, and Michigan State University Extension.  Joanne was slow to anger, always forgave and chose joy; her presence lit up any room and will be immensely missed.  

Joanne is survived by her loving family including her husband, Lowell Stefl of Escanaba; seven children, Sandy (Jim) Reese of White Bear Lake, MN, Lynn (Dave) Meehan of Fremont, WI, Kelly (Earl) Carlson of Stonington, MI, Keith Stefl of Escanaba, Craig (Michele) Stefl of Kimberly, WI, Brian Stefl of Escanaba, and Cory (Rhonda) Stefl of Appleton, WI; eleven grandchildren, Marci (Pete) McKenzie, Marc Reese, Christopher Reese, Erin (Tony) Marcoe, Sarah (Jeff) Faul, Tom Meehan, Kyle (Cassy) Stefl, Cole Stefl,  Jacob Stefl, Alex Stefl, and Lauren Stefl; five great-grandchildren, Kristine and Kyle MeKenzie , Madisen and Rylee Reese, and Vincent Faul; six siblings, Butch (Carol) Knauf of Gladstone, Fred (Ada) Knauf of Flat Rock, Carol (Tom) Pipkorn of Powers, Nick (LuAnn) Knauf of Bark River, Ken (Donna) Knauf of Bark River, and Jan (Lenis) Hood of Bark River; and many nieces and nephews.  

Joanne was preceded in death by her parents, Lawrence and Marie Knauf.

Visitation will be held from 2:00 p.m. to 6:00 p.m., Friday, March 9, 2018 at the Anderson Funeral Home in Escanaba. Liturgical prayers will be recited at 6:00 p.m., Friday, in the Anderson Funeral Home Chapel. Mass of Christian Burial will be celebrated at 11:00 a.m., Saturday, March 10, 2018 at St. Anne’s Parish in Escanaba with Father Fran DeGroot officiating. A luncheon will be served afterward in the church fellowship hall. Entombment will take place in the Gardens of Rest Mausoleum. In lieu of flowers, the family requests that memorials please be directed to the Joanne Stefl family. 

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