Jo Anne R. Kowalke
Jo Anne "Jo" Kowalke, of Port Washington, passed away surrounded by her loving family in the morning hours of Friday, November 20, 2015 at Cedar Community in West Bend. She was 87 years old. Jo was born in Rhinelander on March 13, 1928, daughter of Robert O'Brien Sr. and Linnea Peterson O'Brien. She grew up in Rhinelander and graduated from Rhinelander High School in 1946. On December 20, 1947 she married Harvey Kowalke in Rhinelander. The couple moved to the southern part of Wisconsin to raise their family, settling in the Port Washington area in 1955. Jo enjoyed volunteering her time and talents to many area organizations including being a Girl Scout leader, Interfaith Caregivers, creating and running a babysitting clinic, was a member of the PTA, and was active at Frieden's Church where she was on the board of Christian Education and was a Sunday School Teacher. Jo also enjoyed directing and producing plays with both her Girl Scout troops and her church. Her talents were highlighted when she wrote and directed the "Wizard of Oz" community play. She also enjoyed crocheting, reading, dancing, being a leader in TOPS and teaching aerobics for Dance Slimnastics. Jo is survived by her husband Harvey of Port Washington, four daughters: Cynthia (Herbert) Leiting of Madison, Debbi (Gregory) Verheyen of Port Washington, Beth (Dennis) Baier of Monrovia, CA and Amy (Bruce) Kowalke-Laabs of Fredonia. She is further survived by 12 grandchildren: Timothy, Christopher, Michelle, Katie, Jason and Brian Verheyen, Michael, David and John Baier, Justin, Amanda and Alyssa Laabs, 12 great-grandchildren; Anna, Madie, Nathan, Caleb, Kalin, Kylee, Mia, Gavin, Savannah, Alexis, Brady and Colton, one sister Marie Sandy of Aubrey, TX, nieces, nephews, other relatives and many friends. She is preceded in death by her parents, her brother Robert O'Brien Jr. and her sister Bonnie Marquardt. Funeral services will be held on Sunday, December 6th at 2 PM at First Congregational Church, 131 N. Webster St, Port Washington. Pastor Jeff Suddendorf will preside over the service. Visitation will take place at the CHURCH on Sunday, December 6th from 12-2 PM. In lieu of flowers, memorials are suggested to the Girl Scouts of America or Interfaith Caregivers