Joan Helen (Wittlin) Pritzl

Joan Helen (Wittlin) Pritzl, age 94, passed away peacefully on Monday, November 13th, 2023 at Rennes Health & Rehab Center - Appleton, WI. Joan was born December 12, 1928 in the Town of Center, Outagamie County to James and Margaret (Lippert) Wittlin. On November 27th, 1948, Joan married George Pritzl at St. Patrick Catholic Church in Stephensville. They shared 67 years of marriage until George’s death in 2016.

Joan grew up on a farm on County S. and loved sharing many fond memories of her childhood there along with her five sisters and two brothers. She attended Sunnyside Grade School which was a one room schoolhouse in the Town of Center. She attended Wilson Junior High for 9th grade & then West High School in Appleton. She graduated from Shiocton High School and worked in the office of Zwicker Knitting Mills.

Joan raised 7 children, was the proud Grandparent of five grandchildren and blessed with 5 great grandchildren. She loved little ones and loved her job as a teacher’s assistant at Community Nursery school working with preschool children ages 3-5. She also enjoyed babysitting whenever she was called upon.

Mother was an awesome homemaker. She made our home so very warm, cozy, and welcoming to all who visited. We all have our favorite recipes of Mom’s, her potato salad was the best! She had so much energy and was always occupying her time refinishing antiques, caning chairs, cooking, baking, canning, sewing & mending, and best of all tending to her children.

Mom always had a great sense of humor and sass. She was a spitfire and her eyes sparkled with mischief! She loved getting silly with us and so loved laughing. She was always a good sport and laughed along with us when we teased her. We will all miss eating popcorn, drinking a beer and laughing with mom.

Joan is survived by her seven children: Jane Pritzl; Thomas (Mary) Pritzl; Patti (Paul) Siddall; Dave Pritzl; Glen Pritzl; Gary Pritzl; and Jill Pritzl (Mark Canney), 5 Grandchildren: Samuel Siddall; Kate Siddall; Emily (Tanner) Russell; George Pritzl and Jacob Obermeier (Samantha Schroeder), 5 great-grandchildren: Ella & Avery Siddall, Lily & Hallie Russell, and Brynn Obermeier. Joan is also survived by her brother Robert (Dottie) Wittlin, sister in-law Dolly Pritzl.

Joan was preceded in death by her parents James & Margaret Wittlin, Husband George Pritzl, brother James Wittlin, sisters Myra (Walter) Weber, Gertie (Robert) Helms, Ruth (Harold) Kemp, Rosie (Gerald) Stadler, Joyce (Wayne) Pierre. In-laws: Ray (Ardina) Pritzl; Julius (Isabelle) Pritzl; Robert (Bernice) Pritzl; Richard (Rita) Pritzl; Eldora Jimenez; Bernice (Merle) Meier; Laverne (Don) Monyette; Sister Lucille Pritzl; Victor (Donna) Pritzl; Marie (Ron) Jeserc; Harold Pritzl.

The Mass of Christian Burial will be held at 11:30AM on Tuesday, November 28, 2023 at St. Thomas Moore Catholic Church, 1810 N. McDonald St., Appleton with the Rev. Larry Seidl officiating. Interment will be at St. Mary of the Immaculate Conception Cemetery, Greenville. Joan’s family will receive relatives and friends at the church on Tuesday from 10:00AM to the time of service.

Mom was the Heart of our family and will be so missed. She was a trooper, dearly loved and an inspiration to all of us. As mom would say “Might as well laugh as cry!”

Our family would like to extend our sincere thanks and gratitude to Rennes in Appleton and Aseracare Hospice for all the care rendered to Joan. Your staff made her last days much brighter and comfortable up until her passing. Your kindness will be remembered forever.  

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