Joan I. Gehde

Joan Iris Gehde, age 91, of La Crosse, formerly of Cassville, passed away on Wednesday, October 18, 2023, at Riverside Transitional Care in La Crosse.  She was born on February 21, 1932, in Fond du Lac, the daughter of Adam J. and Dorothy J. (Mintzlaff) Kriks.  Joan graduated from Fond du Lac High School in 1951.  On May 5, 1951, she was united in marriage to John H. Gehde, II at St. Joseph Catholic Church in Fond du Lac.  The couple moved to Cassville in 1959.  John was employed at Wisconsin Power and Light and Joan was a dedicated wife, mother, and homemaker.  She enjoyed reading, watching Westerns and game shows, cooking, putting puzzles together, and playing cards, especially Solitaire.  Joan loved her many pet cats and bird watching.  She also enjoyed a glass of Manischewitz wine.  Joan had a beautiful singing voice that very few people heard.  May she be singing in the Angel’s Choir in Heaven. 

Survivors include her children: Thomas (Elaine) Gehde, Cassville; James (Terri) Gehde, Ona, WV; Timothy (Cindy) Gehde, Genoa; Susan (Rod) Kirschbaum, Kenosha; 11 grandchildren; 22 great-grandchildren; other relatives and friends.

In addition to her parents and her husband, John, Joan was preceded in death by a son, John H. Gehde, III, and a brother, John Kriks. 

Private family graveside service will be held in St. Charles Cemetery, Cassville at a later date.  Martin Schwartz Funeral Homes & Crematory in Cassville is assisting the family.

The family would like to express their sincere gratitude to the staff at Riverside for the wonderful care that was given to Joan during her time there.