Milwaukee, Wisconsin- (Nee Velic) Age 61, passed away peacefully on May 10th, 2022. She was born March 12,1961, in Milwaukee daughter of Joseph and Lorraine Velic. Joanne grew up in Milwaukee and attended John Marshall High School. She met the love of her life, Michael, at her brother Jim's and Sister-in-law Debbie's wedding in 1976. Joanne and Mike were happily married for 42 years. Joanne went to MATC to obtain an associates degree in Heating and Air Conditioning. After this, she chose a different direction and applied for a job at the United States Postal Service as a mail sorter. She did this for 28 years.
Joanne and Mike or Mike and Joanne-no matter how you said their names, they were always together-inseparable. Joanne loved to go up north and get away each July to celebrate their wedding anniversary. Long Lake became their memorable spot. She loved the outdoors, planting and gardening, and most of all snuggling with her two Great Pyrenees dogs, Makya and Mishka. Joanne had an infectious smile. She was diagnosed with lymphoma in 2003. After the diagnosis, Joanne championed the fight of the recurrent lymphoma several times. As a result of the cancer, she developed nine bouts of pancreatitis and had surgery to remove most of her pancreas. Joanne was a fighter! In March, she was diagnosed with small cell sarcoma, which moved fast. Joanne fought hard until the end. Then, she kissed her prince, said "I love you", and went peacefully with no more pain.
Joanne is survived by her loving husband, Michael LaFrombois, her mother, Lorraine Velic, her sisters, Linda (and Peter) Niles, Jodi (and Chad) Thomas, her brothers James (and Debra) Velic, Richard Velic, Joseph Velic Jr., her sisters- in-law Mickie and Jana LaFrombois, Andrea (Billy) Jahn, and brother-in-law Artie LaFrombois. She is also survived by her long-time best friend B.A. Matthias and her Goddaughter, Kristin Matthias. In addition, by her nephews Ryan, Justin, Danny and Andrew Velic, Nicholas, Zachary, Benjamin Thomas, Taylor Niles, Jeremiah and A.J. LaFrombois, Joshua Lobins, and her nieces, Andrea Velic, Amy Lauber, Ciara Thomas, Monique and Hanna LaFrombois, and Jelly Jahn.
Greeting her alongside Jesus at the gates were her "Daddy" Joseph Velic Sr., her mother-in-law, Judith Schrubbe, her nephew Adam Velic, all her Grandmas and Grandpas, and most of all, her baby girl Angel.
Please join us as we say goodbye and celebrate the love Joanne brought to this world. A visitation will be held from 4-6:30 on Thursday, May 19 at Schmidt and Bartelt in Menomonee Falls with funeral service to follow at 6:30. Burial with committal prayers held at 11:00AM on May 20th at St. Huberts Cemetery.
