Joellen Torresani

MIDDLETON/WAUSAU- JoEllen Elizabeth Powles Torresani , age 53, of Middleton, passed away unexpectedly on Wednesday, June 1, 2016 in Buffalo, Wyoming while on a vacation with her oldest daughter.

JoEllen went on a hike and did not return in a timely manner. She was later found where she stopped to rest and passed away peacefully on a hill overlooking the beautiful Big Horn Mountains.

JoEllen was born on November 10, 1962 in Racine, WI. She grew up in Wausau, WI and graduated from Wausau East High School in 1981 and UW-Madison's School of Journalism in 1985. She was affiliated with Delta Delta Delta Sorority.

JoEllen was an AFS exchange student to Germany during her high school years. She attended and then led outpost back packing trips for Camp Manito-wish YMCA along with participating in Outward Bound and NOLS expeditions. She traveled with her family and camped in all of the lower 48 states, Canada, England, Wales, and Europe.

On September 3, 1988, she married Mark John Torresani of Wausau. She was employed at Heritage Insurance Co of Sheboygan before embarking with Mark on an around-the-world bicycle trip where they traveled from Wausau, WI through the Canadian Rockies, Alaska, the California coast, the Fiji Islands, Bali, New Zealand, China, and Europe.

In 1995, the family moved to Middleton where JoEllen became involved in school, church, and family activities. She was a Girl Scout Leader and volunteered with literacy issues. She was an avid reader.

JoEllen was a fitness enthusiast and loved paddling, swimming, biking, running, triathlons and Nordic skiing. She completed the Iron Man in 2004, was a Master Swimmer, and a participant in 19 Birkebeiner cross-country ski races. Her greatest enjoyment was being outside with her family and friends experiencing God's great earth.

JoEllen is survived by her husband of 27 years Mark; 3 children; Elizabeth "Libby" 23 (fianc� Jarrick Jensen), Andrew John 20, and Julia JoEllen 12; her parents Joanne and John G. Powles, all of Middleton; her sister Janice (Ben) Levy, of Cedarburg; her brother John D. (Michele) Powles, of Pickerington, OH; her mother-in-law Carol Torresani, of Wausau; 3 sisters-in-law, Cathy (Jeff) Geppert, of Columbus, OH; Lisa (Ashaer) Hamid, of Plano, TX; Sara (Paul) Rossman, of Mequon; and numerous nieces and nephews.

Along with her family, JoEllen was a member of Asbury United Methodist Church, High Point Swim Club, Blackhawk Ski Club, and Madison Nordic Ski Club.
A visitation will be held from 4-8:00 PM on Wednesday, June 8, 2016 at the Cress Center, 6021 University Avenue, Madison. Visitation will continue from 12-1:00 PM on Thursday, June 9, 2016 at Asbury United Methodist Church, 6101 University Ave. with a memorial service to follow at 1:00 PM. JoEllen will be brought to her final place of rest in a private service at Restlawn Memorial Park in Wausau.

In lieu of flowers, the family suggests memorials may be made to the American Birkebeiner Ski Foundation, Black Hawk Ski Club, or a charity of choice in JoEllen's memory.

JoEllen was loved by many and will be missed by everyone whose life she touched and those who were blessed to cross her path.

Cress Center
6021 University Ave.
Madison, WI 53705
608-238-8406