Joan E. Horinek

It is with profound love and heavy hearts that we share the passing of Joan Elizabeth Horinek, who was peacefully called home to eternal life on December 18, 2025, at the age of 88. Joan’s life was quickly and unexpectedly taken due to hereditary heart failure while at home, surrounded by her devoted husband and beloved children. Joan’s life was defined by kindness, generosity, laughter, and an unwavering devotion to family, faith, and community.

Joan was born on December 15, 1937, in Wisconsin Rapids to Richard and Elizabeth Nugent. She was the eldest of two daughters and a cherished sister to Betty Ebsen of Alexandria, MN.

She graduated from Assumption High School, Wisconsin Rapids and Cardinal Stritch College, Milwaukee, where she served as editor of both school newspapers—a testament to her intellect, creativity, and love of learning. Education remained a lifelong passion for Joan. After being a stay-at-home mother, she dedicated 40 years to teaching - 20 years as a high school mathematics teacher at Edgewood High School and 20 years as a respected substitute teacher at Waunakee, Verona, Middleton, and Mount Horeb schools. Joan’s patience and care left a lasting impact on countless students, including her own grandchildren.

While pursuing her teaching degree at Cardinal Stritch College in 1958, Joan met the love of her life at a dance, Ernest “Ernie” Horinek, who was studying civil engineering at Marquette University. Their love story blossomed into a marriage on June 10, 1961, in Port Edwards, Wisconsin—a beautiful partnership that spanned more than 64 years and was a model of devotion, joy, and mutual respect.

Together, Joan and Ernie built a life rich in love, adventure, and community. They enjoyed visiting relatives and friends year-round, while taking family vacations in their pop-up camper, golfing, cruises, skiing, and their annual adventures to Hawaii. In 2010, they built a cherished lake home on Island Lake in Manitowish Waters, WI, a year-round sanctuary that is the heart of countless family celebrations and lifelong memories. Joan was proudly honored as “The Keeper of the Cabin Calendar,” a role she embraced with joy and humor.

Joan was a loving wife, a devoted mother of four, a proud grandmother of fifteen, and a delighted great-grandmother of five. Family was always her greatest priority. Joan and Ernie never missed a family wedding or reunion (whether invited or not) and always organized Friday fish fry dinners with family and friends. They were always found on the dance floor, sharing laughter and love. Their generosity extended far beyond their family, as they brought neighbors and friends together for more than 50 years to their annual backyard barbecues and potluck picnics. Their Orchard Ridge community honored Joan and Ernie as Grand Marshals of the Fourth of July parade and picnic, a fitting tribute to their spirit of unity and giving.

Joan had many passions that enriched the lives of those around her. She was an accomplished photographer who lovingly documented family milestones through photo albums and treasured Christmas cards. Joan never missed writing and mailing handwritten birthday, anniversary, and thank you cards to every family member, every year.

She loved downhill skiing, golfing, swimming, singing, attending musicals and concerts, and nurturing friendships. At St. Maria Goretti Church, Joan founded the Carefree Years Club, creating a welcoming space for fellowship and connection. Joan was a Girl Scout Leader for 15+ years, and Ernie and Joan celebrated their honeymoon camping with her Girl Scout troop in a tent.

Joan expressed her love most often through service and hospitality, especially through food. She joyfully cooked and shared meals with family and friends and was affectionately known as “The Turkey Lady” among friends and the Marquette Triangle Fraternity couples she and Ernie traveled with annually to Hilton Head, South Carolina, and their lake home. She is also lovingly remembered as “The Tomato Lady,” for seeding and growing over 60 plants and canning more 100 quarts of tomato juice annually.

Joan courageously fought and overcame colon cancer after 2 major surgeries at Mayo Clinic and 3 years of care at UW Madison Carbone Cancer Center, and was cancer-free.

Joan was preceded in death by her parents, Richard and Elizabeth Nugent. She is survived by her loving husband, Ernest Horinek; her four children: Dan Horinek, Sue (Ron) Romens, Cathy (Mike) Rude, and Tom (Rochelle) Horinek; her fifteen grandchildren: John (Taylor) Romens, Paul (Mandy) Romens, Rachel Romens, David Romens, Michael Romens, Erik Rude, Kendall Rude, Linden Rude, Sophia (Cory) Kibbel, Andrew Horinek, William Horinek, Timothy Horinek, Grace Horinek, Emilia Horinek, and Benjamin Horinek; and her five great-grandchildren: Oren Romens, Cooper Romens, Luca Romens, Avila Horinek and baby Horinek due 4/9/26; and her sister, Betty Ebsen.

A Funeral Mass will be celebrated at St. Maria Goretti Catholic Church (5313 Flad Ave, Madison, WI 53711) with Monsignor Kevin Holmes on Tuesday, December 30, at 11 a.m. Visitation is 9–11 a.m., followed by 12 noon lunch at the church. Joan’s cremated remains will be laid to rest at Mt. Calvary Cemetery in Atwood, Kansas.

In lieu of flowers, memorials may be made to Ed Nebbins Foundation to support the construction of Ridgewood Pool in Madison, WI or the UW-Madison Carbone Cancer Center.

Joan’s love, generosity, and joyful spirit will live on in the hearts of all who were blessed to know her. Thank you for being a part of Joan’s life and story.💛

Cress Funeral & Cremation Service

3610 Speedway Road, Madison

(608) 238-3434