Josephine Vilbrandt

MADISON - Josephine A. "Joan" Vilbrandt passed away peacefully on Saturday, August 23, at the St. Mary's Care Center in Madison, just shy of her 86th birthday.

Born in Madison, WI on August 25, 1928, Joan Tyler grew up in Madison and graduated from East High. During high school and until her first child, she worked at "Ma Bell". Once her last child entered school, Joan returned to work at St. Mary's Hospital in the admitting office, where she retired after 19 years.

Joan worked alongside her carpenter husband, Leo, to build a beautiful retirement home on Lake Buckhorn in Reedsburg. In 2004, they downsized to a smaller Reedsburg condo, returning to Madison a few years later to be closer to family.

Joan was well regarded as a wonderful mother and cook, and as a seamstress who hand-crafted mother/daughter dresses for her five girls. In later years she would travel, read, and volunteer with organizations such as The Son's of Norway, briefly serving as the local chapter's president. She was also very active in her various church congregations. But what Joan loved best was her frequent gatherings with loving family and friends.

Joan was preceded in death by her parents, Frank and Effie Tyler, and her husband of 58 years, Leo Vilbrandt, in 2010. She is survived by her brother John Tyler (Half Moon Bay, CA); five daughters, Susan Vilbrandt (William Lanier) of Madison, Julie Elliott (Dean) of Bozeman, Mont., Debra Vilbrandt of Madison, Teresa Soffa (Michael) of Trappe, Pa., and Lisa Petersen (William) of Roxbury; and six grandchildren, Micah Lanier (Colleen), Marina Elliott, Ben and Zach Soffa, and Emma and Laura Petersen.

A memorial service will be held at 12:30 p.m. on Thursday, August 28, 2014 at CRESS FUNERAL HOME, 3610 Speedway Road, Madison with Pastor James Iliff officiating. Visitation will be from 11:00 a.m. until the time of service and a reception will follow.

The family wishes to thank the remarkable staff and many friends at the St. Mary's Care Center. The team there always went the extra mile to make "Jo-Jo's" last 19 months a comfortable and enriching experience for her and the whole family.

In lieu of flowers, memorial contributions may be made to the Middleton United Church of Christ's Memorial Garden Fund, 645 Schewe Road, Middleton WI 53562.

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