IN LOVING MEMORY OF
Joan
Bednar
March 29, 1938 – September 6, 2024
Obituary
Joan Annette (Papenthien) Bednar, 86, of Polk Twp., Washington County Wisconsin, passed peacefully to her eternal heavenly home September 6, 2024 sharing final moments with her beloved family.
Joan was born March 29, 1938 to Virginia Dorthea (Schuerer) Papenthien and Charles Frank Papenthien in Milwaukee Wisconsin and grew up amongst farm fields as the city grew.
She graduated from Washington High School, Milw. WI. in 1956, then from the University of Wisconsin - Milwaukee in 1960 with degrees in English, Art and a Teaching Certificate.
Joan was united in marriage to Ray LaVon Bednar July 2, 1960, in Milwaukee.
During her long teaching career, she taught all grades at numerous schools including in Milwaukee during the early years, then Menomonee Falls, then Slinger/Allenton and finally retiring from teaching at Rossman Elementary school in Hartford Wi.
During her teaching years, she encouraged and impacted the lives of many hundreds of students and developed many lasting friendships with the families and school staff.
Joan set aside her teaching career to be a stay-at-home mother and homemaker when her children were very young.
In between teaching, she was an administrative assistant at various businesses, including Cedar Community, West Bend.
Joan absolutely loved spending time with family and friends and enjoyed hosting many gatherings over the decades. More recently, she especially enjoyed Friday Family Game Night.
Joan possessed many talented gifts. She enjoyed singing (especially in church choir), acting, sewing & quilting (for herself and many other family and friends), arts & crafts, cooking & baking, coaching, and volunteering for many organizations, throughout her lifetime.
Over the years, she enjoyed many outdoor recreational activities as well, including hiking, biking, fishing, snowmobiling, cross country skiing and camping.
She had a passion for travel, visiting nearly every U.S. state, and after retiring, spent many winters down south in Arizona and Texas, with her husband, in their self-contained motorhome, where they met many new friends.
She had numerous collections including coins, silver spoons, stamps, matchbooks and dolls.
Joan had an unmistakable flair for storytelling, sharing many memories and past experiences.
Joan is survived by her husband of 64 years Ray Bednar, her children: Karen Bednar, James Bednar & wife Kippi Bednar.
Grandchildren: Hannah Casper & husband Michael Casper, Jasmin Breitzman Ellershaw & husband Garret Breitzman Ellershaw, Leah Bednar, Isaiah Bednar, and Ryan Russell.
Great Grandchildren: Hunter Blanchard and Leonidas Casper.
Further survived by many special family members including cousins, nieces, nephews, other relatives and dear friends.
Joan was preceded in death by her parents, Virginia and Charles Papenthien, her brothers Dennis and Charles Papenthien and her sisters-in-law, Judy & Lynn.
Special Thank You to the staff at Hartford, Grafton and Menomonee Falls Aurora, Virginia Highlands nursing & rehab. Germantown, and Phillip Funeral Home West Bend.
Memorial Service for Joan Bednar at Phillip Funeral Home West Bend Wi. Fri. Sept. 27, 2024 with visitation at 11:00am, followed by Celebration of Life at 12:30 and Committal Service at Washington County Memorial Park. Pastor Jeff Casper officiating.
In lieu of flowers, memorials to the family are appreciated.
Joan was born March 29, 1938 to Virginia Dorthea (Schuerer) Papenthien and Charles Frank Papenthien in Milwaukee Wisconsin and grew up amongst farm fields as the city grew.
She graduated from Washington High School, Milw. WI. in 1956, then from the University of Wisconsin - Milwaukee in 1960 with degrees in English, Art and a Teaching Certificate.
Joan was united in marriage to Ray LaVon Bednar July 2, 1960, in Milwaukee.
During her long teaching career, she taught all grades at numerous schools including in Milwaukee during the early years, then Menomonee Falls, then Slinger/Allenton and finally retiring from teaching at Rossman Elementary school in Hartford Wi.
During her teaching years, she encouraged and impacted the lives of many hundreds of students and developed many lasting friendships with the families and school staff.
Joan set aside her teaching career to be a stay-at-home mother and homemaker when her children were very young.
In between teaching, she was an administrative assistant at various businesses, including Cedar Community, West Bend.
Joan absolutely loved spending time with family and friends and enjoyed hosting many gatherings over the decades. More recently, she especially enjoyed Friday Family Game Night.
Joan possessed many talented gifts. She enjoyed singing (especially in church choir), acting, sewing & quilting (for herself and many other family and friends), arts & crafts, cooking & baking, coaching, and volunteering for many organizations, throughout her lifetime.
Over the years, she enjoyed many outdoor recreational activities as well, including hiking, biking, fishing, snowmobiling, cross country skiing and camping.
She had a passion for travel, visiting nearly every U.S. state, and after retiring, spent many winters down south in Arizona and Texas, with her husband, in their self-contained motorhome, where they met many new friends.
She had numerous collections including coins, silver spoons, stamps, matchbooks and dolls.
Joan had an unmistakable flair for storytelling, sharing many memories and past experiences.
Joan is survived by her husband of 64 years Ray Bednar, her children: Karen Bednar, James Bednar & wife Kippi Bednar.
Grandchildren: Hannah Casper & husband Michael Casper, Jasmin Breitzman Ellershaw & husband Garret Breitzman Ellershaw, Leah Bednar, Isaiah Bednar, and Ryan Russell.
Great Grandchildren: Hunter Blanchard and Leonidas Casper.
Further survived by many special family members including cousins, nieces, nephews, other relatives and dear friends.
Joan was preceded in death by her parents, Virginia and Charles Papenthien, her brothers Dennis and Charles Papenthien and her sisters-in-law, Judy & Lynn.
Special Thank You to the staff at Hartford, Grafton and Menomonee Falls Aurora, Virginia Highlands nursing & rehab. Germantown, and Phillip Funeral Home West Bend.
Memorial Service for Joan Bednar at Phillip Funeral Home West Bend Wi. Fri. Sept. 27, 2024 with visitation at 11:00am, followed by Celebration of Life at 12:30 and Committal Service at Washington County Memorial Park. Pastor Jeff Casper officiating.
In lieu of flowers, memorials to the family are appreciated.
To order memorial trees or send flowers to the family in memory of Joan Bednar, please visit our flower store.
Services
Visitation
September
27
Phillip Funeral Home Chapel
11:00 am - 12:15 pm
Funeral Service
September
27
Phillip Funeral Home Chapel
Starts at 12:30 pm
Interment
September
27
Washington County Memorial Park
Starts at 1:45 pm
Joan Bednar's Guestbook
Visits: 1
This site is protected by reCAPTCHA and the
Google Privacy Policy and Terms of Service apply.
Service map data © OpenStreetMap contributors