Joan Helen Ketterman (Scale), 67, ended her wonderful and fulfilling life’s journey on December 30, 2018, due to leiomyosarcoma. She was born, in Milwaukee on August 1, 1951 to the late June (Kendall) and John Scale. Joan graduated from Pius X High School in 1969. She went on to complete a psychology degree from UW Whitewater and a Master’s Degree in Social Work from UW Milwaukee. Joan served people with disabilities her entire career. She was a Health Aide at Lightfoot School, then a Developmental Disabilities Specialist working working with adults with disabilities. Later, Joan served adults in independent living and eventually advancing to administrative positions with Sheboygan County Health and Human Services.
On June 2nd, 1973 Joan married Dennis Michael Ketterman in Wauwatosa, WI. They had three children, Brian (Karem Gomez) Ketterman, Chicago, Karin (Jeff) Nicholas, Sheboygan and Amy (Jeremy) Zabel, Minnesota; four grandchildren Alexia and Alivia Nicholas, and Jackson and Adelyn Zabel.
Joan is very proud of Brian, Karin and Amy because of their independence, kindness, and loving nature. They provided Joan with a wealth of special memories and adventures. Their spouses and children have easily enhanced the love present in the Ketterman family.
Joan loved spending time with her grandchildren. Her greatest gifts were her full presence, humor and special connection to each one. The Ketterman household became a playground for fun, marching, drumming, playing games and activities, having tea parties and sleepovers. Joan always had a special surprise ready for them that would create additional excitement and bonding.
Joan had many passions, she loved to travel worldwide, she played Mahjongg, actively participatied in book clubs, was a member and past president of American Association of University Woman. She served on the board of Abode, United Way, Generations, Sheboygan Area Sister Parish Outreach Program serving victims of hurricane Katrina and was on the family selection committee of Habitat for Humanity. Joan was an active member of St. Peter Claver Parish.
In addition to family, Joan is well respected and loved by her friends, colleagues, and many foreign exchange students including Jan, Sven, Fernando and Italo. She was of a pleasant nature always willing to give a compassionate and understanding ear to others. People meeting Joan felt safe and loved with her. Joan had many loving and caring friends that supported her in all her endeavors.
Joan’s brother John preceded her in death along with her parents and father-in-law Lawrence Ketterman.
Family and friends may gather at the Reinbold-Novak Funeral Home, 1535 S. 12th Street, Sheboygan on Thursday, Jan. 3, 2019 from 4:30 p.m. – 7:30 p.m. Visitation will continue on Friday Jan. 4, 2019 at St. Peter Claver Catholic Church, 1439 S. 12th Street, Sheboygan from 10 a.m. until the time of Mass at 11 a.m. Fr. Paul Fliss will be officiating.
In lieu of flowers, all donations will be distributed to meaningful charities in Joan’s life.
The Ketterman family would like to thank the doctor, nurses and staff of Froedtert Hospital for their expertise, care and concern for Joan’s health and well-being. We especially thank Dr. John Charleson, Julie Waugh and the rest of his staff.
Visitation
Date: Thursday Jan 3, 2019
Time: 4:30 -7:30
Location: Reinbold-Novak Funeral Home [map]
Funeral Mass
Date: Friday Jan 4, 2019
Time: 11 a.m.
Location: St. Peter Claver Catholic Church [map]
Visitation
Date: Friday Jan 4, 2019
Time: 10-11 a.m.
Location: St. Peter Claver Catholic Church [map]