Joanne Elizabeth Brandhagen
Sunday, February 2, 1936
Date of Death:
Wednesday, January 5, 2022
Age:
85 years old
Memorial Service
Date: Saturday May 07, 2022
Time: 11:00 am
Location: Oakwood Cemetery [ view map ]
Burial
Location: Oakwood Cemetery
Sunday, February 2, 1936
Date of Death:
Wednesday, January 5, 2022
Age:
85 years old
Sunday, February 2, 1936
Date of Death:
Wednesday, January 5, 2022
Age:
85 years old
Joanne Elizabeth Brandhagen
Joanne Brandhagen, 85, formerly of Rochester, was peacefully called to Heaven on Wednesday, January 5, 2022, in Baraboo, WI. She was surrounded by her son, Bob, daughter-in-law, Lisa, and staff at Oak Park Place. She was also assisted by Agrace Hospice.
Joan was born in Milwaukee on February 2, 1936, to Charles and Catherine LaBracke. Along with her brother, Chuck, she was in the Civil Air Patrol in her teen years. She was always extremely patriotic. She graduated from South Division High School. After high school Joan attended what is now UW-Milwaukee for two years. After her sophomore year her mother died and Joan did not return to college. She married Jon Brandhagen in 1963. The couple moved to Reedsburg, Wisconsin, then in 1969 moved to Rochester, MN, and lived there for 43 years. In 2012 she moved to Baraboo, Wisconsin, and lived with her son, Robert, and his wife, Lisa, and their children.
She had a long career at Mayo High School (1970-2001), first as a secretary and then as an office manager. There she met many life-long friends and was energized by taking on tasks such as organizing graduations and keeping up with office automation and computer skills. One thing Joan was never known for was being bored. She was always game to go out to coffee time with her coworker friends from Mayo High—even up to two years ago. She kept active and lived life to the fullest with her grandchildren and family. She also volunteered at Gift of Life Transplant House. Joan was recognized for her kindness, silliness, ability to make friends easily, as well as her fist bumps, and fun-loving disposition. She faithfully attended Resurrection and St. John Catholic Churches, then a Baptist Church in her later years. Her faith and hope were soundly anchored in Jesus. She loved to sing the great hymns in corporate worship. While gazing on the marvels of the created order (lakes, mountains, sunsets), she often wondered aloud, “How can anyone not believe? Do they think this all happened by chance?”
Joan is survived by her son, Robert (Lisa) Brandhagen; brother, Charles (Sandy) LaBracke of Brookfield, WI; daughter-in-law, Jane (Dennis Busche) of Rochester, MN. She is also survived by nieces and nephews; Steven (MaryRose) LaBracke of Castle Rock, CO; Cathy (Dave) Bauer of Brookfield, WI; John LaBracke of Oconomowoc, WI; Judith Brandhagen of Waukesha, WI: Nancy (Jaime) Lehrer of Greenfield, WI; Steve (Dawn) Brandhagen of New Berlin, WI; and Karen (the late Daniel) Schulist of Muskego, WI.
Joan had many grandchildren: Kristen of Chicago, IL; Mitchell, Kirk Busche, and Sara Busche, all of Minneapolis; Amanda (Adam) Schneider of Madison, WI; Aaron, Abbie (John) Jurss of Kansas City, MO; Allie (Jared) Miller of San Tan Valley, AZ; Karis and Hope, Jill (Tim) Reasa, Carly (Chris) Lynch, all of Madison; and Sam Trotter of Plover, WI.
Joan grieved deeply, privately, and quietly in the death of her son, David, in a tragic car accident in 2005. More pain came when her husband, Jon, died in 2012. She was also preceded in death by her parents, aunts, uncles, and cousins, as well as her brother-in-law, Don, and sister-in-law, MaryAnn.
The Memorial Service will be held at 11:00 a.m. on Saturday, May 7, 2022 in the Oakwood Chapel.
Memorials may be made to Gift of Life Transplant House. Funeral services for Joan will held at a later date.
Condolences
The family of Joanne Elizabeth Brandhagen has received the following condolences.
I just found out about Joanne and if possible to send a card or have her family email me thank you very much
When I came to Mayo High School in the fall of 1974, Joanne was there in the Main Office. When she became the office manager, the whole place became more pleasant and lively. I would wonder how she ever got any of her work done as she was so frequently interrupted by questions and commotion in her work area, but she was always helpful and never made me feel like she didn't have time to explain things to me. Through several principals and many staff members, she was a constant. She's one of those people who made the school function for professionals and for students. So many fond memories of that school and she was at the hub of the action. May she be at rest now and may her family know that she was appreciated by many many co-workers.
To Joan’s family, what I remember most about Joan is her big heart. She cared about the kids, even when some were not going the right direction she cared, she saw their pain. I had the privilege of being her hairdresser here in Rochester for many years, and missed her when she moved away but knew that being with her son’s family was her happy place. I’ve thought of her often. God, Joan’s going to organize your office, and she’s really good.
Joan was my office manager while I was Mayo's principal. I am forever thankful for Joan's help and support throughout that time. I could never thank her enough for all of it as well a being an absolutely wonderful human being. My thoughts and prayers go out to her and her family. John Frederikson
Mrs. Brandhagen was was Secretary Supreme! In fact she was my Assistant in all areas when I served as Principal of Mayo High School 1986-1994. She was remarkable in many ways. She was smart, kind, prescient, and had a great sense of humor. She was detail oriented and always prepared for every need. If there was a “fire” brewing she would enter my office wearing a cap that had a sign on it that read “Messenger” and then she would deliver the bad news. We giggled over that cap many times. There was no one better before her and there was no one better after her! She was and is NUMBER ONE! Sleep easy Mrs. B. and I hope to see you on the other side.?. Love Nancy Kaldor
Condolences to Bob and all of Joan's relatives. I am so sorry to hear this news. Joan was so friendly and kind to me as a child spending a lot of time in your home. She was also so nice to everyone at Mayo High School and it was always fun to talk to her in the office. Joan was a wonderful person and I (Pete) and the entire Williams family grieve your loss. She is in a much better place now and reunited with John, Dave, and all of her loved ones there. Once again Bob, heartfelt condolences to you and all the family from me (Pete) and the Williams family.
Bob and Family, I am truly Sorry to hear about your Mother. She was a dear neighbor to my Mother and our family. Your dad and brother were always kind to us. May she Rest In Peace.
Jim Emmons