Joan A. Wellhoefer, 77, formerly of 2620 Pershing Ave. Sheboygan died early Saturday morning, September 12, 2015 at Morningside Nursing Home in Sheboygan surrounded by her loving family. Joan was born October 17, 1937 to Anton and Esther (Degenhardt) Maurer in Sheboygan. She attended area schools, and graduated from Sheboygan North High School. She married Lester Reineking in 1956 in Sheboygan. Lester died in February of 1981. In 1966 she married Carl Wellhoefer at St. John's UCC. Carl died in August 1999. She worked for Wigwam Mills and retired in 1996. She was a lifelong member of St. Dominic's Catholic Church. Joan's children and grandchildren were her life. She enjoyed spending summers camping with her family. She walked daily in the South Pier district. She and Carl enjoyed ballroom dancing and their many vacations. She and her sister Georgie enjoyed weekly dinners at Rupps, traveling, and shows at the Weill Center. She is survived by 4 children Steve (Kathy) Reineking, Linda (Jeff Huntington) Vansluys, Cheryl (Josh Starich) Wolker, and Michelle (Jason) Kreisa, Grandchildren Jason and John Lester; Brad (Jenn) Haneman, Brooke Haneman, Shawna (Grant) Wilson, Eric LeFevre; Ally and Cassy Wolker, Jack Starich; Carly, Jackson, and Kenley Kreisa; Great Grandchildren Robert Lester; Ian Procek and Chase Haneman. She is further survived by her brothers Jack (Maxine ) Maurer, and Robert (Betty) Maurer, nieces, nephews, other relatives, and friends. She was preceded in death by her son Tim; sisters Marion, Marjorie, and Georgiana; brothers Tony and Eugene, and her close friend Fred "Fritz" Klaft. Services will be Wednesday, September 16 at 6:00 p.m. at The Olson Funeral Home. Relatives and friends will be welcome at 4:00 p.m. for visitation. Fr. Philip Reifenberg, St. Dominic's Catholic Church, will officiate. Entombment will be in the Mausoleum at Calvary Cemetery. Her family extends their thanks to the people who cared for her at Country Side Manor, Terrace Place, and Morningside Nursing Home as well as the nurses and staff of St. Nicholas Hospital and Hospice. In lieu of flowers please make memorial donations to the Alzheimer's Association.
