Joan A. (Pawlak) Reiland

Joan Reiland, a woman with a song in her heart, a dance in her step, a smile on her face, a contagious  laugh, and always a helping hand to offer.  

Our mother passed away Saturday June 12, 2021 in LaCrosse  at 91 years of age. She was born on September 20, 1929 to Joe and  Alice (Valach) Pawlak and resided in La Crosse all of her life. She is survived by her children: Julie (Brian) Kendall of Boscobel, and their sons, Adam, Andrew, and Kyle; Jenny (John) Schroeder of LaCrosse  and their children, Ben (Vicky)  Schroeder and their children, Rex and Cammi; Jake Schroeder, and Ali (Ted) Zieman and daughters,  Avery and Luella; Jan (Joe) Kaminski, Omaha  and daughters Anna (Nic) Oswalt and their children, Brooklynn,  Hunter, and Kensington, and Carly (Kolby) Schlueter and their daughter, Alina; Joni Morford of De Pere,  and her  children, Michael and Tessa; John (Amy) Reiland of Pewaukee,  and Joe (Leslee), Reiland of Sioux Falls S.D. and their children, Anthony and Jay.  Joan is also survived by her sister Norene Rochester. of LaCrosse . A brother in law  Robert Reiland of California .She was preceded in death by her two elder sisters,  Betty Clark and Mary Jean Coleman, and grandson, Nicholas Reiland.  

After graduating from Central High School, she attended UW-La Crosse. One fine day while working at  Garvalia’s China Shop, she caught the eye of handsome shopper Jack Reiland. They were married in  1952 and celebrated 65 years of marriage before Jack passed away in March, 2020.  

Joan lived an amazingly full life and was always so thankful for her family and the many blessings in her  life. She was a warm and loving mother. She made the most out of every day, becoming clever and  creative in so many ways, helping her stretch the budget to provide necessities for the family. She was  known for burning the midnight oil sewing holiday dresses and coats, Barbie doll clothes for her young  daughters and neighborhood friends, and making curtains for every room in the house. She had a knack  for crafting whimsical holiday projects to the delight of her children. Our fond childhood memories are  endless!  

Joan, known as “Granny”, was a fairytale grandmother, from planning activities to adventures, she  brought the fun to every family gathering. She enjoyed sewing, knitting, tennis and playing cards,  especially Zioncheck and Spoons. Granny loved to climb the bluff and to go tobogganing well into her  70s, laughing and screaming all the way down the hill. Baseball was her favorite sport, traveling  numerous times with her sons to Reds and Brewers games, to UW-L spring training trips, and on  Buckley Baseball Tours.  

When daughter Julie worked at the “Y”, she encouraged her parents to join a Social Dance class they  were offering. They signed up along with several friends and they ended up enjoying it so much,  traveling to polka fests around the Midwest became a highlight in their retirement years. Watching them  float and fly over the dance floor was a sight to behold! They appeared as polka dancers in the movie  “Grumpier Old Men”, doing the Chicken Dance in the Oktoberfest scene.  

Joan was very kind and thoughtful and was always looking for ways to help others. She spent numerous  hours in her retirement years doing volunteer work for Meals On Wheels, WAFER, and then at  Franciscan Skemp Clinic for 21 years. Joan had a very friendly and outgoing personality and made  friends everywhere she went, reaching out to strangers.  

The family feels blessed with all the wonderful care Joan received over the years within the Eagle Crest  Senior Communities: Eagle Crest, Bethany on Cass, Hearten House, and Riverside Transitional Care, and  then finally, Mayo Hospice. The people they employ are second to none, being competent, 

compassionate, caring, and loving. Each person truly treated Joan like family and we will be forever  grateful. 

For those who wish to contribute to her memory, memorials can be sent to Roncalli Newman Center  in LaCrosse or to Mayo Hospice in LaCrosse.  

A Memorial Mass of Resurrection will be held on Friday June 18, 2021, at 3:00 P.M. at Roncalli Newman Center located at 1732 State Street, LaCrosse Wisconsin.  Father Billy Dodge will officiate. Burial will be in the Catholic Cemetery in LaCrosse .  Friends may call on Friday June 18, 2021 from 1:00-3:00 P.M. at the Roncalli Newman Center in LaCrosse  Online condolences can be sent to www.kendallfuneralservice.com 

To send flowers to the family or plant a tree in memory of Joan A. (Pawlak) Reiland, please visit our floral store.