Joanne Harpstrite, 74

Joanne M. Harpstrite, 74, of Monroe,Wis., died on Monday, Dec. 7, 2015 at her home, following a courageous battle with cancer.

Visitation will be held from 4 to 7 p.m. on Thursday, Dec. 10 at Newcomer Funeral Home in Monroe, Wis. A funeral service will be held at 11 a.m. on Friday, Dec. 11 at the funeral home, with Father Larry Bakke of St. Clare of Assisi Parish officiating.

She was born on April 11, 1941 in Illinois to John J. and Sophie (Hytla) Oravec. She married Earl H. Harpstrite on Sept. 20, 1969 in Pierron. He survives.

Mrs. Harpstrite graduated from high school and attended St. John’s Hospital School of Nursing in Springfield, Ill. She worked as a registered nurse for 13 years at St. Joseph’s Hospital in Highland.

She and her husband purchased a farm and moved to Jefferson Township, Wis., in 1976. She was employed as a customer service manager at Walmart in Monroe, Wis., for 14 years, until retiring.

She was a member of St. Victor Catholic Church in Monroe and enjoyed traveling with her husband. She loved spending time with her family and enjoyed the many golf cart rides with her grandchildren.

She is also survived by her children: Brian Harpstrite and his son, Blain; Brad (Shelly) Harpstrite and their childen, Jared Harpstrite and Jordan Pryce; and Kelly (Mike) Severson and their daughter, Ally, all of Monroe, Wis. She is further survived by a sister, Betty (William) Schwend, and two brothers, Robert (Joyce) and John (Peggy) Oravec, all of Highland.

She was preceded in death by her parents.

In lieu of flowers, memorials are suggested to the American Cancer Society.

This story was originally published December 9, 2015 at 3:01 AM with the headline "Joanne Harpstrite, 74."