JoAnn White

JoAnn C. Bierman-White-Wussow was born August 6,1933 in Pittsville, WI. After a full and adventurous life, JoAnn entered Pine Ridge Alzheimer’s Care Center in August 2022 in Spokane, WA. JoAnn went to be with our Lord on December 27 , 2024.

JoAnn graduated from Pittsville High School in 1951. She put together the class reunion for many years. JoAnn had a varied work career at Frito-Lay in Madison WI, Ayers Furniture in Ridgeway WI, and Walmart in Wisconsin Rapids WI.

JoAnn was involved with St. Luke’s Women’s Auxiliary, Port Edwards Home and Community Educational Club and the Central Wisconsin Country Music Association.
JoAnn met Kenneth White in 1973. They were married 37 years until his death in 2010. Ken and JoAnn bought a small farm in Menomonie WI. While both worked outside the home, JoAnn worked alongside Ken on the farm until they sold. They moved back to Wisconsin Rapids where JoAnn worked at Walmart until her retirement. JoAnn was an active member of St. Luke’s Lutheran Church in Wisconsin Rapids and the Wisconsin Rapids Homemakers. She loved to sew and craft with artificial flowers and Christmas ornaments. JoAnn loved to listen to music and to dance. She and Ken were members of the Country Music Association.

In October 2011, JoAnn met Bob Wussow at a dance. Over the next nine years, JoAnn and Bob traveled more than 150,000 miles across North America. They both had a passion for all styles of dancing and found dance opportunities wherever they visited. JoAnn moved to Spokane in May 2020.

JoAnn is preceded in death by her parents, Herman and Caroline (Gachnang) Bierman; sister Lorraine Braun; brothers Donald and Glenn Bierman; nephew Eugene Graf Jr.; and former husbands Victor L. Martin (married June 6, 1953 to December 19, 1972) and Kenneth H. White (married March 5, 1973 to March 28, 2010).

JoAnn is survived by husband Bob Wussow, Spokane WA; sisters Evelyn Graf, Wisconsin Rapids WI, Verjean Sime (Norman), Stoughton WI; sister-in-law Gwen Bierman, Reedsburg WI; brother-in-law Herb White, Menomonie WI; stepchildren Vicki (Dan) Rhoades, Omaha, NE, Dawn (Gerry) Weber, Stevens Point, Kenneth R. White, Philippines, Ronald White, Livingstone CA, Wanda Ashbeck, Wisconsin Rapids WI; several step grandchildren, step great-grandchildren, nieces and nephews.

JoAnn will be laid to rest with her past husband Ken White. Memorial service will be Saturday, April 26, 2025, at 11:00 a.m. at Herman-Taylor Funeral Home, Wisconsin Rapids WI. Visitation will be from 9:00 a.m. until time of service. Burial to follow at Pioneer Cemetery, Wisconsin Rapids WI.