Joan Mary (Odwazny) Latus was born on June 24, 1947, to Chester and Lorraine (Bohn) Odwazny in Milwaukee, WI, the second of three children, following Paula and preceding Gary. Joan attended St. Josaphat Elementary school and then Humboldt Park School. Joan has been described by many people as a mischievous child who always knew what she wanted and was often stubborn about it. This was especially true when it came to her sweet tooth. She loved bakery, candy, and soda, and apparently did her best to get to the "good stuff" first and hide it from her siblings. In 1965, Joan graduated from Bay View High School (BVHS). Joan was a fan of high school sports and was proud to be the BVHS Mascot, Reddy Redcat. It was also during high school that Joan's interest and talent in sewing began. She enjoyed designing clothing, and in addition to making clothes for herself and others, she also designed and made her own wedding gown. She was so talented as a seamstress that she was able to surprise her mother with a 25th wedding anniversary dress without ever taking one of her mother's measurements. Joan would eventually sew many of her daughters' clothes, creating pretty matching outfits for them. Sometimes she even made a skirt or dress to match the girls'! Joan loved music and dancing and was often in attendance at CYO dances during her teens. In fact, her fondness of live music and going to see bands perform got her into some trouble one time. Joan and her life-long friend Chris really wanted to see a band, but they were underage and not able to do so. Neither of the girls were drinkers, but they had to get into that bar to see a hippy psychedelic band called the Shags! So, Joan and Chris put on their hip-hugger bell bottom pants, grabbed their fake ID's, and headed out. Of course, luck would have it that the bar was raided for underage attendees, and Joan and Chris ended up in a paddy wagon and taken to the police station where they were finger-printed and had their fake ID's confiscated. Thankfully, the police said if they came back in the morning with a parent, no arrest warrant would be issued. The girls came back with their parents, and apparently no other punishments were given since they were out dancing again the following week. While attending Bay View High School, Joan met and started dating Dennis Latus. After graduating from high school, Joan started working full-time. Joan was an incredibly hard worker. She rarely called in sick, and volunteered when extra help was needed. Although Joan was always a dedicated employee, her most important role was as an amazing wife and mother. On October 11, 1969, Joan married Dennis Latus, her high school sweetheart. Not long after their wedding, Dennis and Joan bought their first home in Milwaukee, close to both of their jobs. Joan always kept a well-decorated and neat home, and made sure there was a nice meal on the table, even though she was also working. Joan and Dennis enjoyed traveling for fun, but Joan was often by Dennis' side at his work conferences and conventions. In fact, they even picketed together in front of the Whitehouse in Washington, D.C. In 1974, Joan and Dennis welcomed their first child, Deenna. Their second daughter, Holly, was born in 1976. Joan and Dennis thought their family was complete, but were surprised and excited when their third child, Justin, was born in 1982. Joan was a very involved mother. She only worked outside of the home part-time until the children were older. This allowed her to volunteer in their classrooms, attend field trips, assist with school fundraising events, and even chaperone multi-day trips the high school music department went on annually. Joan was very popular with children, and Deenna's, Holly's, and Justin's friends wanted Joan to be the chaperone assigned to their groups at events she attended. As a mother, Joan was incredibly loving and thoughtful. From the time her children can remember, their mom always decorated for the holidays because she thought the children would like it, and they did. She threw them birthday parties with family and also with their friends. She always knew what her kids were "into," and loved to buy them gifts that reflected their interests. When the children got older, she regularly sent cards and care packages when they went off to college or arrived with a car full of "essentials" when she visited them on campus. . Joan spent as much time as she could with her children, and she and Dennis worked hard to give their children opportunities to participate in clubs and sports, attend special entertainment and sporting events, have a pool in their own yard, and take annual family trips, in addition to summer weekends camping at Jellystone Park. Joan's children recall fondly that they were often the only children who had both parents attend all of their school performances, concerts, and games. Many of her children's friends called her "mom," and she always welcomed these friends to her home and to join the family on dinners out, the weekend camping trips, and even vacations. In regard to vacations, Joan loved going anywhere warm and sunny. She and Dennis visited the Bahamas, Mexico and Hawaii as a couple, but once the kids were born, the family rarely missed an annual trip somewhere tropical, or at least hot. Hawaii, Florida, South Carolina, Texas... all of these locations made the list and her children feel so lucky to have had the opportunity to travel frequently with their parents. Sometimes aunts, uncles and cousins even joined them on trips. Being with family was very important to Joan and she enjoyed traveling with them whenever possible. In addition to their human children, Joan and Dennis also had a number of loving dogs during their life together. Jacque, Elkie, Buffy, Angus and Ivan were loved by Joan as if they were additional children. Everyone knew Joan was crazy about her dogs and treated them with love and kindness. Protecting and saving animals was important to Joan, so she made many donations to organizations that supported this interest. Joan worked for Kohl's Food store for over 25 years before retiring from her cashiering position. But not one to ever sit still, Joan continued to work at a marketing research firm, as well as Target for many years. While working with these organizations, Joan met women who would become her close friends. She would excitedly share with her daughters that she had one of her "girls'" lunches or dinners coming up. Joan was a devoted friend, just as she was a devoted mother. Her friends have described her as sweet, caring, loving, kind, and spunky. Yes, she was all of those, and definitely anyone would be proud to call a friend. Although Joan was retired, and still working other jobs, she was a dedicated, loving and generous grandmother, or as her first grandchild Dylan dubbed her, "Ammie." All of Joan's six grandchildren adored her as she adored them. Joan was always willing to get down on the floor and play with cars, build puzzles, hold baby dolls, read books, and enjoy toy-food meals prepared in child-size kitchens. She was generous with her hugs, kisses, and "I love you's." She was also known to be quite the spoiler... there was not a thing her grandchildren, just like her children, would ever have to go without if Ammie had anything to say about it! Joan was known as a "Super Shopper" for her ability to sniff out a deal with lightning speed. Her math skills at figuring out sale prices, discounts, and coupons in her head were outstanding, and she would always have the total of her bill at any store or restaurant computed before the clerk or the register. Joan also had the ability to find the perfect gift and card for people, and never left anyone out when birthdays, anniversaries, or holidays came around. She was especially thoughtful when she knew people were struggling and was quick with a note or card to let them know they were in her thoughts and prayers. Joan's passing has been a devastating shock to her immediate family, as well as relatives and friends. She was the mother her kids were proud to say was theirs because of her loving, giving, caring, generous, and often funny personality. She was a very strong woman physically and in her beliefs. She will remain unconditionally loved and forever missed by so many. Her family just continues to pray that she is now pain free and at peace. We like to believe that Joan has been welcomed into Heaven by all of her loved ones that passed before her, and that she is dancing again, hopefully with Dennis and all of their dogs jumping around to get her attention. Prasser-Kleczka Funeral Homes South Suburban Chapel 414-282-6080