Joan Marie Daines went home to be with her Lord and Savior on Saturday, Sept. 16, 2017, at Milestone Senior Living in Hillsboro, Wis., from complications from Alzheimer’s.
She was born to Hudson and Marie (Holy) Castonav on Jan. 15, 1930, in northern Wisconsin. At the age of 15, she struck out on her own and provided for herself by ironing at a clothing factory in Milwaukee. Milwaukee is also where she met the love of her life and soulmate, Chalmer “Jack” Daines. Jack was selling tickets at a dance, and after Joan and her friend had bought their tickets, she told her friend, “I am going to marry that man.” She did just that on Sept. 4, 1948, in Valley, Wis.
They continued to dance their way through life’s ups and downs and celebrated their 66th anniversary 10 days before Jack’s death in 2014. Although Valley was always home to them, over the years they also resided in Prairie du Chien; Milwaukee; Tomah; Hudson, Fla.; Redfield, S.D., and enjoyed retirement between Kearny, Ariz., and Valley. The doors to Joan’s heart and home were always open, with helping hands, a listening ear, and a hot cup of tea. Joan loved deeply and served graciously her Savior Jesus Christ, her family and friends.
Absent from the body present with the Lord (2 Cor. 5:8b).
Joan is survived by her children, Janille Litten of Tomah, Jenifer (Jim) Hunter of Ontario, Jeffrey Daines of La Crosse and Charles (Lynn) Wellhausen of Waukesha, Wis.; her grandchildren, Jelora (Tony) Coman, Jesse (Lisa) Hunter, Jackie Pitkin and J. Phillip Daines; and her great-grandchildren, Jecole and Joel Coman and Juliette Hunter.
She was preceded in death by her parents; her husband, Chalmer Daines; her grandchildren, Joshua Daines and Roxanne Daines Steele; and her brother, Gene Castona.
A celebration of Joan’s will be from 6–8 p.m. Saturday, Sept. 23, at Grace Community Church in Ontario. Please join us for food, fellowship and memories.
The Picha Funeral Home in Hillsboro assisted the family with arrangements. For online information, go to www.pichafuneralhomes.com.
