Joan Ruth Hand

Joan R. (Krueger) Hand, 86, died on Wed., January 27, 2016, at Mackinac Straits Hospital in St. Ignace, Michigan. Joan, who preferred to be called Joanie, was born November 22, 1929, in Whitewater, WI, to Ruth Alma and Otto Nicholas John Krueger. She graduated from Fort Atkinson High School, WI, in 1947. Joanie married Bernard Arthur Hand on August 17, 1957 at Trinity English Lutheran Church, Ft. Atkinson, WI and moved to Janesville, WI, living there for 52 years. Bernie, as he preferred to be called, and Joanie became members of Trinity Christian and Missionary Alliance Church in 1957, which has since built a new building and changed its name to Orchard View Alliance Church. Bernie and Joanie were active members of the church. In 1959 Joanie established the church library using a catalog system she developed and served as church librarian until mid-2009. For many years in the 1960s-1970s she taught Sunday School, sang in the church choir, and served as secretary for Women's Missionary Prayer Fellowship. In these role she did extensive correspondence with missionaries, always remembering their birthdays and anniversaries. Joanie's crowning achievement for the church was an extensive series of church history scrapbooks, containing clippings and photos spanning the history of the church. Joanie's Christian belief in the death and resurrection of Jesus Christ and living for Him defined her life. Joanie spent her life as a homemaker, raising her two children, Holly and Harley. In addition to church involvement, she loved take bus trips (as well as a few overseas trips), took many photos and created albums, and after her husband's death played a supporting role in a play for Janesville's sesquicentennial. She faithfully attended her high school reunions until 2009. In mid-2009, her daughter moved her to Sault Ste. Marie, Michigan, where she briefly resided at Tendercare Nursing Home and then a few years at Hearthside Assisted Living. During this time, she attended First Free Methodist Church, where her son-in-law, Rev. Daniel Waite serves as pastor. In 2013 she moved to Cedar Ridge Assisted Living in St. Ignace, MI. Joanie is survived by her daughter, Holly (husband Daniel) Waite of Sault Ste. Marie, MI; Grandson Benjamin (Wife Miriam) of Hebron, IN; sister Joyce Krueger of Fort Atkinson, WI; sister-in-law Leila Hand of Tyler, TX; sister-in-law Alice Hand of Delavan, WI; and nieces and nephews. She was preceded in death by her parents, husband Bernard in 2002, son Harley Bernard Hand in 1988, and several sister and brothers-in-law. Visitation will be held at Orchard View Alliance Church, Janesville, WI, on Mon., February 1, 10-12:00 noon followed by the memorial service at 12:00 noon, with Rev. Andy Stumbo officiating. Memorials can be made to the Great Commission Fund of the Christian and Missionary Alliance Church. Private burial will be at Oak Hill Cemetery, Janesville.

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Joan Ruth Hand

November 22, 1929 - January 27, 2016