Joan Jennerjohn

Shorewood Hills/Madison-Joan Marie Gauchat Jennerjohn ("Josie") died peacefully at Attic Angel Haven on November 6, 2014. She was born in Cleveland, Ohio on May 29, 1923 the daughter of Ruth Rate Gauchat and Dr. Harry W. Gauchat. She moved to Canton, OH at the age of two where her father practiced medicine for many years. Joan graduated from Canton Lehman High School in 1941. She graduated from Duke University with a BA in fine arts. She enjoyed her Kappa Alpha Theta friends at Duke and was chapter president her junior year.
In 1945 Joan attended Boston School of Occupational Therapy affiliated with Tuffs University. She became a registered O.T. in 1947 and was assistant director of O.T. at the U.S. Marine Hospital in Brighton, MA until 1950 when she and two friends left their positions and traveled in Europe for four wonderful months. Later in 1950 Joan accepted the position of supervisor and instructor in the Occupational Therapy Dept. of the UW Hospitals-a position she held for fourteen years.
In June of 1954 Joan happily married Dale "D.J." Jennerjohn. They had two children, Pamela and David. Sadly, David died in 1964 at age three and in 1966 Dale and Joan adopted a son, John Frederick. In 1963 Joan accepted a half-time position as Volunteer Director at University Hospitals which gave her time to spend raising her children. Later the position became full time. She thoroughly enjoyed her contact with many volunteers. Joan retired in 1985.
Joan served on several boards through the years-as President of the WI Society of O.T., Madison Civic Club, University League, Theater Bus, Dane County Mental Health, Madison Symphony Orchestra League and as president of the of the Blackhawk Country Club Women's Org. She was a member of St. Andrew's Episcopal Church for over fifty years.
Post retirement, Dale and Joan enjoyed interesting and extensive travels usually with a couple of friends. In recent years they wintered in Green Valley, AZ where Joan golfed, took art lessons, enjoyed theater, hiking with friends and family. She always loved the southwest deserts and the Indian lore. She spent happy times with her family, bridge with friends and volunteering at Attic Angel. She sang with the Boston Chorus, Duke Chapel Choir, the Philharmonic Chorus of Madison and Attic Angel Christmas Chorus.
Joan is survived by her daughter, Pamela Bock (Gus) of Madison; her son, John Jennerjohn (Dawn) of New Hampshire and five grandchildren: Hans and Karl Bock and Cameron, Christopher and Courtney Jennerjohn; her sister, Martha Groenke of Big Fork, MT; Dale's sister, Carol Leatherbury of Aberdeen, MD; nephews, Tad, Fritz and Hans Groenke and their children, as well as, several cousins. Joan was preceded in death by her loving husband "D.J.", their son David, her mother, Ruth Gauchat and her father, Dr. Harry Gauchat and her mother and father-in -law, Ann and Edward Jennerjohn of Milwaukee.
Joan's family extends a special thanks to all the staff of Attic Angel Apartments & Haven for the loving and compassionate care, especially Angie for giving our mother peace & strength to leave this world. We all love you and miss you "Gaba". There will be a family service at St. Andrews Episcopal Church. A Celebration of Life will be held at BLACKHAWK COUNTRY CLUB, 3606 Blackhawk Drive, Madison on Friday, November 21st from 2:00 to 4:00 pm.
Memorials may be made to Attic Angel Place, Inc., "Employee Appreciation", 640 Junction Road, Madison, WI, 53717 or St. Andrew's Episcopal Church, 1833 Regent Street, Madison, WI 53726.
Please share memories of Joan at www.CressFuneralService.com


Cress Funeral Service
3610 Speedway Road, Madison
(608) 238-3434