Joan Ann Fugere

Joan Ann (Bichler) Fugere, age 87, of Escanaba passed away Monday, August 5, 2024 at Bellin Hospital in Green Bay, WI. She was born April 23, 1937 in Escanaba, MI and was the daughter of Harry Dominic and Anna (Johnson) Bichler. Joan was diagnosed with Polio age 3. She graduated from Escanaba High School with the class of 1955 and then attended Cloverland Business College in Escanaba. Joan worked at the Morley-Murphy Company in Escanaba and later at the State of Michigan Liquor Control Commission. The former Joan Ann Bichler married Thomas Milton Fugere, who was serving in the U.S. Army, on April 20, 1957 in Escanaba. Together the couple traveled the United States and Germany while Tom served in the U.S. Army. While being stationed in Chicago, Joan worked for A.C. Nielson Rating Company. Joan and Tom retired and moved back to Escanaba. Joan was a member of the Bethany Lutheran Church and the quilting group at church where she was known as the “Square Cutting Lady.” She loved to cook and bake and would make the best Hershey Chocolate Brownies. Joan was a very charitable person who enjoyed giving to others. Crafting, sewing, and quilting were her hobbies. 

Joan is survived by husband Thomas; daughter Michelle (Joseph) Fugere Brown; grandchildren Cherish (Adam) Hoy of Escanaba and Ben Brown of Merrill, WI; great granddaughter Alice Hoy; sister Connie (Leigh) Schmidt of Escanaba; brother Robert (Marge) Bichler of Escanaba and several nieces and nephews.

In addition to her parents, she was preceded in death by her brother Donald Bichler and sister Betty Ann Bichler.

Visitation will be held from 11:00 a.m. to 1:00 p.m., Thursday, August 8, 2024 at the Anderon Funeral Home in Escanaba. Funeral services celebrating the life of Joan Fugere will be held at 1:00 p.m., Thursday at the Anderson Funeral Home Chapel with Rev. Lily Brondyke officiating. Burial will take place in the Gardens of Rest Cemetery. In lieu of flowers memorials can be directed to the Delta Animal Shelter. 

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