Joanne T. Baertschi, Janesville, WI (1948-2015)

July 9, 2015

September 28, 1948 - July 4, 2015

Joanne T. Baertschi, age 66, of Janesville, passed away on July 4, 2015, after a hard fought battle with cancer. She was born on Sept. 28, 1948, in California, the daughter of Earl and Mary (Savitsky) Smith. Joanne met her soul mate, Bill Baertschi Sr., serving coffee at the Vince Lombardi service plaza in Richfield, NJ., and they were married on Aug. 17, 1980. She was a member of the Fulton Congregational Church, Edgerton, WI. She was a great cook and enjoyed entertaining people, where she was usually the life of the party. She was an avid collector of memorabilia from the Wizard of Oz and recently went to the Fireside Theater for the production of the Wizard of Oz. She enjoyed working in flower gardens and collecting her road side treasures. She loved spending time with her friends, family and especially her grandchildren. She was employed at Burdick Corporation for over twenty five years before retiring. She will be deeply missed by her family and friends.

Joanne is survived by her husband, Bill Baertschi Sr.; a son, Chuck (Jackie) Bash, both of Janesville; three step children: Bill (Kristin) Baertschi Jr. of Brodhead, Thomas (Lori Platner) Baertschi of Whitewater, Stacey Baertschi of Footville; her sisters-in-law: Laurie (Howard) Morse of Janesville, Linda (Gary) Tofte of Brooklyn, Lois (Tom) Carroll of Afton, Cindy (Carl) Bauer of Beloit, Lisa (Harold) Nevel of Brooklyn; her brothers-in-law: Larry (Linda) Baertschi of Orfordville, Steve (Shirley) Baertschi of Janesville, Tony Baertschi of Milton, David (Becky) Baertschi of Brooklyn; five grandchildren: Kourt Woerth of Florida, Colton and Elizabeth Baertschi of Brodhead, Brandon and Brooke Bash of Janesville; several nieces and nephews. She was preceded in death by her parents, Earl and Mary Smith; her son, Thomas Bash; mother-in-law, Inez Escher; and father-in-law, John Baertschi.

Funeral Services will be held at 12 Noon on Saturday July 11, 2015, at FULTON CONGREGATIONAL CHURCH, 9209 Fulton Street, Edgerton, WI, with Reverend Larry MacKenzie officiating. Burial will follow in Fulton Cemetery, Fulton Township. A Visitation will be held from 10 a.m. until the time of service at the CHURCH on Saturday.

A special thank you to JoAnne's sisters-in-law: Laurie, Lisa and Cindy. The family would like to thank Home Health HospiceCare and the staff, Fulton Church members and friends, Cathy Edwards, Carmen Humes, Jan Geisinger, Sandy Cook, Maxine Sanford and a special thanks to Rachel for all the care and compassion over Joanne's illness.

WARD-HURTLEY FUNERAL HOME is assisting the family.

Condolences may be expressed at Wardhurtley.com