Joan Nimke's Obituary
Joan G. Nimke, age 84, of Oshkosh, passed away on Friday September 15, 2023 at Ascension Mercy Medical Center in Oshkosh. Joan Gertrude Spanbauer was born on July 6, 1939 in the backroom of her family's (Sportsmans) tavern. The daughter of Anton and Gertrude (Kroll) Spannbauer Joan grew up with her brother Ron and sister Sue. She attended St. Vincent's School and Oshkosh High School.
On December 29, 1956 she was united in marriage with Alfred Nimke Jr. They celebrated 66 years of marriage, and they were proud parents of Douglas, Katherine, and Richard.
Joan loved being a "stay at home mom." Alongside her husband she was an active member of the Marine Corp League and volunteered numerous hours at the local clubhouse and held the office of President of the Marine Corp League Auxiliary. After coaxing her daughter in law Joan produced the Oshkosh Community Players production of Damn Yankees and co-directed the Miss Fox Cities pageant (1983-1985). She also enjoyed many years spent as a Miss Wisconsin pageant hostess.
After the birth of her first grandson Joan took over the Oshkosh Recreation Department's Tot Spot Program. She nurtured numerous little children for 18 years. She was awarded the Outstanding Leadership Award and her legacy is immortalized on a plaque at the Oshkosh Recreation Department. There were many times over the years that people would stop her and remind her that they had been in her class.
Joan enjoyed traveling, including to Hawaii, flower gardening, cooking and attending her children, grandchildren and great grandchildren's activities. She was a lifelong member of St. Vincent Parish.
She is survived by her husband Alfred, children Douglas (Carol Bartelt), Katherine (Kevin Karstedt), and Richard (Paul Calenberg). Grandchildren: Douglas Jr. (Katie), Bren, Charles (Deepti) Nimke, Kenneth (Kathleen), Emily (Michael Siwinski), William Karstedt. Great Grandchildren: Henry, Thomas, Theodore, Madelyn, Makenzie, Riya, and Grant Nimke, Milo Siwinski and Thomas Karstedt. Additional family members include David and Nancy Nimke, Robert and Doris Genal, Mary and Thomas Chappa, Barbara Nimke and numerous nieces and nephews.
Joan is proceeded in death by her parents, brother Ronald, sister Sue Anne, her in-laws Alfred and Augusta Nimke, James Nimke, Marlene Spannbauer, and son-in-law Paul Calenberg.
A Memorial Mass for Joan will be held on Friday, September 22, 2023 at 11:00 AM in St. Jude the Apostle Catholic Church (St. Vincent site) with the Rev Louis Golamari officiating. Burial will follow in Calvary Cemetery. Family and friends may call at the Church on Friday from 10:00 AM until the hour of services.
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