JoAnn Kilmer

JoAnn Kilmer, age 96, passed away Sunday, October 13 in Corpus Christi, Texas. She was born March 3, 1928, in LaValle, Wisconsin to Fred and Erma (Raybuck) Briggs. On October 23, 1948, she married Russell Kilmer in Wonewoc, Wisconsin. She and Russ shared 63 years of marriage that could best be described as a special partnership. JoAnn attended business school in Milwaukee, Wisconsin after high school. Upon graduation she returned to Wonewoc and worked as a bookkeeper. From 1964-1977, JoAnn ran the Kilmer Hardware Store six days a week. The family moved to Richland Center, Wisconsin in 1978. JoAnn worked in retail until finally taking a position with Joe Halverson, CPA and returning to her love for bookkeeping. She retired in 1990. She and Russ began wintering in Harlingen, Texas in 1994 and she continued to spend every winter there until 2020. They enjoyed many special friendships as they danced, fished, picked up seashells, and played cards. JoAnn was a loving daughter, sister, and mother. She and Russ enjoyed traveling all over the USA in their travel trailer. They also enjoyed several trips to Europe. She was a kind and generous person who liked to volunteer in her church and community. Even in her later years she had a contagious laugh and zest for life, like zip lining at the age of 88. She will be forever loved and missed by her family and friends. She was preceded in death by her parents, Fred and Erma Briggs, her husband Russell and her sisters, Barbara Sonnenberg and Shirley Huebel. She is survived by her three children, Steve Kilmer and David (Tammy) Kilmer of Rice Lake, Wisconsin, and Jill Johnson of Corpus Christi, Texas and her sister Rosemary (Jerry) Shroeder and many nieces and nephews. She had five grandchildren, Stacy (Brad) Nelson, Kathrine (Ryan) Rosenberg, Madeline Kilmer, Melissa Sillers and Daniel (Siovhan) Johnson, and 7 great-grandchildren, and 2 great-great-grandsons. Visitation will be Saturday, November 16 at 11:00 a.m. at Clary Memorial Funeral Home in Richland Center, Wisconsin. A Memorial service will follow at 11:30 a.m. at Clary Memorial Funeral Home with Pastor Michelle Elfers of St. John’s Lutheran Church officiating. Memorial gifts may be directed to Barron County Special Olympics, 1665 20 ½ Street, Rice Lake, Wisconsin 54868. .

JoAnn Kilmer

March 3, 1928 - October 13, 2024