Joanne M. Zimmerman, 85, formerly of Goodman, WI, passed away on Sunday morning, August 23, 2026 at Cedar Hill Assisted Living in Bark River, MI.
Joanne was born on October 1, 1940, in Monroe, WI, daughter to Walter and Luella (Winters) McConnell. She attended South Wayne High School then continued her education at the University of Wisconsin – Platteville, where she earned her bachelor's degree in education.
On September 3, 1961, the former Joanne McConnell married LaVerne Arthur Zimmerman in Madison, WI. They had three children, Stephen, Stacy, and Carrie, and were able to share 30 years together before his passing.
Joanne taught kindergarten at Cuba City and Dickeyville, WI from 1962-1965. However, her lifetime kindergarten classroom was at Goodman-Armstrong Creek School and she taught there from 1966 until her retirement in 2003.
She was a member of the Red Hats Society and enjoyed gardening, knitting, and quilting.
Among survivors include her children, Steve (Mary) Zimmerman of Bark River, MI, Stacy (Mike) Kowalkowski of Cedarburg, WI, and Carrie (Ryan) Headley of McFarland, WI; grandchildren, Michael (Traci) Kowalkowski, Mark (Katie) Kowalkowski, Kim (Josh) Young, Laura (Beau) Brown, Amanda Hoffman, Melissa (Brandon) Bard, Mallory (Sam) Zimmerman, Matthew (Abby) Zimmerman, Olivia Headley, and McKenna Headley; great-grandchildren, Kenzie Bard, Brody Brown, Keegan Young, Madison Kowalkowski, Logan Kowalkowski, Andrew Kowalkowski, Austyn Bard, Lena Hoffman, and Mason Bard; fraternal twin sister, Judy (Rolyn)Jorgenson; brothers-in-law, Roger Zimmerman, Roger Butts, and Eldon (Sandra) Zimmerman; and with 12 nieces and nephews.
Along with her parents, Joanne is preceded in death by her husband, LaVerne; sister, Marlene (Wayne) Pewe; nephew, Mark Pewe; parents-in-law, Arthur and Verna Zimmerman; sisters-in-law, Beverly Butts and Jean Zimmerman; and nieces, Deanne Jorgenson and Heidi Wagner.
Visitation will be on Saturday, August 29th from 9:30 a.m. – 11:30 a.m. (Central Times) at the Union Protestant Church, 304 4th St., Goodman, WI 54125. The funeral service will take place at 11:30 a.m. and the committal service will immediately follow in Glenwood Cemetery. At the conclusion of the services, a meal will be served at the Goodman Town Hall, 506 Mill Street, Goodman.
In lieu of flowers, the family respectfully requests that memorials be directed to the family, c/o Steve Zimmerman, and a scholarship will be established in Joanne’s name at a later date.
Messages of condolence can be directed to the family at www.crawfordfuneralhomes.net. The Crawford Funeral Homes are assisting the family.
