Joan D. Waldvogel, age 83, died on Friday, September 30, 2022, at Evergreen Terrace Assisted Living in Antigo.

Joan was born June 29, 1939, the third child of Joseph and Mildred (Welch) Marx. She grew up on the family farm near Phlox. Upon completion of 8th grade at St. Joseph School, Phlox, Joan entered the convent of the School Sisters of St. Francis in Milwaukee, where she completed High School. She received her Bachelor of Science degree in Elementary Education from Alverno College, Milwaukee, and her Master's degree in Administration and Supervision in Elementary Education from the University of Wisconsin, Milwaukee. As a professed Sister, she took the name Sister M. Joseph Benedict and remained in the convent from 1953-1974. Joan spent over 30 years in elementary education as a teacher or principal.

Shortly after entering the secular life, Joan met the love of her life, Franklyn Waldvogel, also a native of the Phlox area. They were married at St. Joseph Catholic Church, Phlox, on September 25, 1976, and lived in Sussex for 27 years before retiring in Phlox. They enjoyed 44 happy years together, and especially enjoyed traveling, gardening, canning, and visiting friends and relatives. Frank preceded her in death on November 25, 2020.

After retiring from her 30-year teaching and administrative career, Joan pursued the life-long ambition of publishing a family history. She researched and published 3 family history books: Marx/Bissonnette, Welch/Egging, and Waldvogel families.

Joan was a member of St. Joseph Holy Family Parish, Phlox, and was active in many areas of parish life over the years. Her faith was focal in her life.

Having traced her ancestry, Joan was a proud member and elder of the Brothertown Indian Nation, serving on many committees and activities of the tribe throughout the years.

Joan is survived by four brothers, Dr. George Marx, Lakeville, Minnesota, John (Rosemary) Marx, Jerome (Vicky) Marx, and Robert (Louise) Marx, all of Antigo, and five sisters, Angela Driscoll, Waukesha, Wisconsin; Mary Jane (Bernard) Bessert, Aniwa, Theresa (Edward) Howard, Crandon, Katie (Doug) Klemp, Antigo and Veronica (Sam) Mauk, Antigo, as well as her godchildren and many nieces and nephews. Also surviving are Frank's sister, Rosalie (Kevron) Schiro, and sister-in-law, Cindy Waldvogel.

In addition to her husband and parents, Joan was preceded in death by a sister and brother-in-law, Clara and Mel Andraschko, and sister-in-law, Karen Marx, as well as members of her husband, Frank's family, Dennis Waldvogel, and Gloria and Rodney Pagel.

A funeral Mass will be held on Saturday, October 8, 2022, at 11 a.m. at St. Joseph Holy Family Catholic Church in Phlox with Rev. Vicente Llagas officiating. Burial will take place in St. Joseph Catholic Cemetery. Visitation will be on Saturday at the church from 9:30 a.m. until the time of Mass.

Joan's family would especially like to thank the supportive family and concerned friends who have walked with us during these last four years of life at Evergreen Terrace, the caring staff, and LeRoyer and Aspirus Hospice.

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