Joanne Avis (Rublee) Teppen died suddenly of natural causes on Friday, August 27, 2010 at home in New Richmond.
Joanne was born on a farm near Colfax, Wis., on August 12, 1933. She graduated from Colfax High School in 1951 and earned a teacher’s certificate from the Wisconsin State College at Eau Claire in 1953. Joanne taught in the Janesville school system, then married Lyle H. Teppen on Feb. 25, 1956. During the first 12 years of their married life, Joanne gave birth to 5 children, and was housewife and mother while the family lived in six different homes in Michigan, Illinois, and Wisconsin. The family finally settled in New Richmond in 1968, where Joanne raised her family and made many lifelong friends.
As Joanne’s children grew, she found other outlets for her energy. She was a founder and the director of the nonprofit Community Childcare Center from the 1970s until the early 1990s, where she played a big part in the early lives of many area children. During summers in the 1960s, Joanne and Lyle built a cottage together about two hours north of New Richmond, where the family spent many pleasant, fun-filled vacation days, and where Joanne was a gracious hostess for many friends and relatives. In the north woods, Joanne especially loved communal berry picking.
After they had been retired a few years, Lyle suffered a crippling stroke in 1996, and was wheelchair-bound for ten years. During that time, Joanne proved her loyalty, patience, and love over and over, helping Lyle with daily activities and rarely leaving his side. Only Joanne’s selfless care allowed Lyle to live at home. After Lyle passed away in 2006, Joanne remained in the home until her death.
Joanne had a great sense of humor, an easy smile, and a warm personality that endeared her to those around her. Family, friends, and community were very important to Joanne. She has been an active member of First Lutheran Church since 1968, she served as president of the Holy Family Hospital Auxiliary, she played in the New Richmond women’s golf league for several years, and she enjoyed various local bridge clubs immensely. She cherished the company of friends and family until the day of her death.
Joanne was preceded in death by her parents, Emery and Florence Rublee; husband, Lyle Teppen; and son Franklin Teppen. She is survived by sons, Brian (Jean) Teppen of East Lansing, Mich., Randy (Sue) Teppen of San Anselmo, Calif., Larry (Nancy) Teppen of Evansville, Ind.; daughter, Mary (Cory) Teppen of Clear Lake, Wis.; grandchildren, Ryan, Eric, Christopher, Sarah, Jamie, and Logan; brother, Robert (Neva) Rublee of Hartford, Wis.; sister, Corinne Delaitsch of Shoreview, Minn.; aunt, Edna Nelson of Tony, Wis.; and many cousins, nieces, nephews, and friends.
A memorial service will be held at 3 p.m. Wednesday, Sept. 1, at First Lutheran Church in New Richmond. Visitation will also be Wednesday one hour before the service at church. Interment will be in the New Richmond Cemetery.
Arrangements are with Bakken-Young’s Beebe Mortuary of New Richmond.
Tags: obituaries
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