Our dear, sweet Joanie was diagnosed with pancreatic cancer on September 20, 2023. On November 6, 2023, she left her home on Nelson Lake in Hayward, WI with Jesus.

Joanie was preceded in death by her parents and sister Kathi Moore.

She is survived by her husband, Greg, her daughter, Mary (Christian) Juarez, and sister, Wendy (Dennis) Powers.

Joanie was born on October 1, 1952, in Sacramento, CA to Richard Roettger and Verla Whyte. After her father died, the family moved to Pendleton, OR to be closer to family.

Upon graduation from high school, Joanie was accepted to the University of Oregon to earn her degree in nursing. After graduation, she moved to San Diego, CA to work as a newborn nurse.

Later, Joanie moved to Salt Lake City, UT, and she worked in the Newborn Intensive Care Units of the University of Utah Hospital, then Primary Children’s Hospital. While at Primary she held nursing and managerial positions in the NBICU. She retired in 2010.

Over this time, Joanie suffered through breast cancer, chemo, multiple surgeries, and later melanoma. All without complaint.

On June 16, 1984, Joanie married the love of her life, Greg Henning, at Blessed Sacrament Church in Sandy, UT. They traveled the world together, made lifelong friends, and experienced many cultures. Along the way, Joanie converted to Catholicism and became very devout.

In Utah, they built a second home in Moab, UT, and enjoyed the beauty of the desert. While here, Joanie became a gifted quilter.

Their first attempt at starting a family ended with a miscarriage. Later, they were blessed with their greatest joy, a baby girl, on December 7, 1987. They named her Mary, after the Blessed Mother. Mary became mother’s primary caregiver in a magnificent manner after Joanie’s diagnosis of pancreatic cancer.

In retirement they moved to Hayward, WI, and joined St. Joseph’s Catholic Church, where they were very active.

A Mass of Christian Burial will be celebrated at Noon on Friday, November 17, 2023, at St. Joseph’s Catholic Church, 10586 Dakota Avenue, Hayward, WI. Visitation will be held at the church prior to the mass from 11:00 AM to Noon.

Special thanks to Joanie’s amazing hospice team, supportive priests, parishioners, and the many prayers from all over the world.

Donations in Joanie’s name can be made to Regional Hospice Services & Palliative Care, 15910 W Company Lake Road, Suite 3, Hayward, WI 54843.

Last Update: Nov 09, 2023 2:38 pm CST