Joan Steckart

Joan Noreen (Pranke) Steckart, 95, was called home to Jesus on July 19, 2022 during a brief hospitalization. She died peacefully with her children at her side at Bellin Hospital and was reunited with her beloved husband John who preceded her in death.

Joan was born on October 10, 1926 to the late Eleanor (McQuade) and Leo Pranke, in De Pere, Wisconsin. Having lived her entire life in De Pere, Joan had a remarkable ability to share stories and memorialize events in the history of the community. She attended St. Francis Grade School and graduated from East De Pere High School, where she played the clarinet in the marching band. Joan studied business at the University of Wisconsin-Green Bay. She married the love her life John Steckart on November 16, 1957 and they shared 39 wonderful years together.

Joan was a devout Catholic throughout her long and rewarding life, and belonged to St. Francis Parish in De Pere, where she served as head of the Parish Council for decades. Beyond weekly services and home parish activities, Joan was actively engaged in the broader Catholic community. A pioneer in the Cursillo Movement, Joan and her husband brought this program to the Green Bay area. She rectored the first women’s Cursillo in the area in 1966 and remained active in the movement for over 50 years. Joan was also committed to the support, empowerment, and education of all Catholic women in spirituality, leadership, and service, through her board membership and leadership in the Diocesan Council for Catholic Women (DCCW). Joan lived her faith daily and in her study of the Bible and would frequently use this inspiration to encourage others through sharing meaningful verses.

Joan was multi-talented and creative with an entrepreneurial spirit. She was co-owner and operator of Whitehouse Interiors, a successful home decorating and furniture business for over 40 years. She later operated “Steck-Inspect,” the family Home Inspection Company. Joan was a published author with two printings of her beer cookbook, “Drink Your Beer and Eat it Too.” She was a voracious reader and read three books per week on her Kindle; and was known to complete the daily crosswords quickly and with ease, eager to solve the next puzzle or word game. She cherished the companionship found in her monthly book club circle. Joan was a fiercely independent spirit who was as clever as she was kind. With daily support from her devoted son John who lives locally, Joan was able to maintain this lifestyle until her final days. She loved cooking and creating recipes and was a witty and thoughtful person. She generously shared her gifts and talents.

Faith life and family were the cornerstone of Joan’s joy and created a world of wonderful memories. She adored spending time with her loving and devoted children: daughters Jolie, and Jillisa (Jill); son John Jr. and daughter-in-law Laurie (LaPiana); her granddaughters Chloë and Sydney; and grandson John (JV). Joan also has many “grand dogs” and “grand-cats” that add to the wonderful tapestry that was her life.

Joan is survived by her children and grandchildren and a multitude of loving nieces, nephews, cousins, friends and relations who have had the honor to share in her life. She was preceded in death by her parents; husband, John; brothers, Bill and Joe; sisters, Hope Pranke, Faith Johnson, and Jeanie Lambert; brothers and sisters-in law Rosemary Pranke, Pat Pranke, Len Johnson, and Jack Lambert.

The family wishes to extend thanks to the nursing staff and palliative care team at Bellin Hospital and Unity Hospice. The coordinated efforts of this care team provided peace and compassionate care in her final days. Deepest gratitude to Tina Krouth for her lifelong love and friendship; she has always been more family than friend.

As Joan is resting with her heavenly Father, one of her favorite quotes from Julian of Norwich has come to fruition: All will be well.

There will be a visitation on Tuesday, July 26th from 4-7pm at Cotter Funeral Home, 860 N Webster Ave, De Pere. A parish prayer service will conclude the evening. Visitation will continue on Wednesday, July 27th at St. Francis Xavier Catholic Church, 220 S. Michigan Street, De Pere, from 10:00am until 10:45am. Mass of Christian Burial will be celebrated at 11:00am. Joan’s lifelong friend Fr. Charlie Hoffman will be homilizing and concelebrating at the service.