Joan H. Shedeger

Joan Helen (Olsen) Shedeger, 76, Green Bay, passed away peacefully on Saturday March 2, 2013 at Golden Living Nursing Home after a brief but brutal fight with gastric cancer. She was born July 25, 1936 to the late Agnes and Clarence Olsen. She is finally joined with her husband Andre (AKA:Buddy Ackers) brothers Eugene, Leroy and Glen; and sister Enid in heaven.

She is survived by daughters Debbie Taylor, Terrye Shedeger and son Timothy Shedeger; sisters Edna Theys, Doris Noel, Judy Francart(Frank); brothers Robert Olsen(Barb) and Roger Olsen; grandchildren Jeff, Sean and Janet Taylor and Brandon Hartman; also many nieces and nephews.

Joan graduated from East High in 1954. She was an award-winning majorette with the Starlites during high school. She marched in many parades and competed in numerous contests throughout Wisconsin, Michigan and Illinois. On May 5, 1962 she married, Andre Shedeger(Buddy), and moved to Canada, where they lived from 1962 to 1979. In 1979 they moved back to Green Bay where she went to work for Pomps Tire as Payroll Clerk until 2001 when she retired.

After retirement Joan and Buddy took to the open road in their RV! They had several wonderful years spending winters in Texas and summers on Berry Lake at Kruegers Campground. They loved going to Country Music festivals, namely Country USA, Hodag, EAA, and of course the Testicle Festival in Breed.
Eventually they decided to settle down again in Green Bay at Bay Manor Apartments. Buddy's health was failing so in Joan's tireless way, she nursed him until his passing in 2011.

After Buddy's passing, she never stopped! She was always on the go. She loved her weekly dinners with her son Tim where they would spend quality time catching up. She loved being adventurous with daughter Terrye – doing a little camping; a little sight-seeing; trips to favorite places like Door County, Berry Lake, and Canada to visit her daughter Debbie, and of course she always had to make a stop at Niagara Falls and eat smoked meat sandwiches, this was a must. Also during her visit she'd have to go to a sports bar where she'd be sure to wear her Packers jersey and heckle the other fans football team. She usually won and got free drinks out of it! She took it all in whenever she could and she never missed a moment or a camera shot.

She loved the Green Bay Packers, any chance to go to an autograph signing, she'd be there! She and Judy (best friend next door) would pound on the wall every time the Packers scored. A few times she'd catch herself pounding too hard, almost knocking her pictures off the wall! She also enjoyed tailgating on game day!

She loved taking walks – always taking her camera, capturing every precious moment – sunsets, sunrises, blooming flowers, birds and scenery. One of her favorite places to go was the Bird Sanctuary. She had a life-long love of photography – she was never without her camera. As a teenager she had a darkroom where she could develop her own pictures. She was asked to be the official "shutter bug" for all the monthly events that went on in her apartment complex – birthday parties, special events and people eating! The food! Oh boy, and the desserts! She also enjoyed Christmas time; her place was beautifully decorated with a huge Christmas village, fiber optic angels and houses.

The rare times she decided to sit down, she was hooked on jigsaw puzzles. If she had it her way, she would have framed them all – but ran out room on the walls! Her other indoor hobby was knitting scarves every different color imaginable – she gave them to her kids, grandkids, special friends – she even donated them to fund raisers.

She will be sadly missed by many of her family and friends, especially her best friend and neighbor Judy, Special sister in law Bev and her "other daughter" Jeanine. She had a zest for life that no one will ever forget.
The family would like to send out a Special thanks to the nurses on the 400 wing at Golden Living, you were so kind and caring in the short time she was there, she just loved you all.

A Celebration of her life will be held at Bay Manor, 845 Bader Street, in the community room, on Saturday March 9th from 1 pm to 4pm. In lieu of flowers a memorial fund is being set up.