Obituary: JoAnn Portz

JoAnn Portz, of Waukesha, died on Tuesday, July 30, 2013, at her home at the age of 74.

She was born on Oct. 20, 1938, in West Allis, WI, the daughter of Joseph and Gladys (nee LeMay) Love.  On Sept. 3, 1982, she married Frederick “Fred” Portz at First Baptist Church in Waukesha. She was a longtime member and dedicated volunteer at First Presbyterian Church.  She was a member of the Waukesha Choral Union where she was active with the Messiah Creation Project.  She was a supporter of the Salvation Army and the Women’s Center and had a passion for gardening, singing, theater and music.

She will be sadly missed by her children Karelyn (Randal) Beck of North Prairie and Mark (Sheri) Misfeldt of Waukesha; stepson Thomas J. Portz of Brookfield; her grandchildren  Dustin Wenzel, Jaclyn Beck, Derek Beck,  Monique Misfeldt, Marcus Misfeldt, Timothy (Denise) Portz and Joshua Portz; her great-grandchildren Macayla, Madelyn and Jack Portz and  Tara and Alex Wenzel.  She is further survived by her brother Jack (Doris) Love of New Berlin and sisters Rev. Janice Davis of Green Bay, Juanita Gordon of Waukesha and Judith (Richard) Quade of Richland Center, nieces, nephews, other relatives and friends.  In addition to her parents, she was preceded in death by her husband Fred on Sept. 3, 2010, daughter Wendelyn Misfeldt and granddaughter Amanda Kay Beck. 

Visitation will be held on Friday, Aug. 2, from 4 p.m. until 7 p.m. at First Presbyterian Church, 810 N. East Ave., Waukesha, WI 53186.  Visitation continues at the church on Saturday, August 3 from 10:30 a.m. until the time of services at noon.  Rev. Nicole Farley will preside.  A private family burial will be held following the service at Prairie Home Cemetery.  Memorial’s in JoAnn’s name are appreciated to the Salvation Army, 445 Madison St. Waukesha, WI 53188, Waukesha Choral Union-Messiah Creation Project, PO Box 495, Waukesha, WI 53187, Women’s Center, 505 N. East Ave. Waukesha, WI 53186 or First Presbyterian Church (address above).

Randle-Dable-Brisk Funeral, Cremation and Preplanning Services is honored to serve the family.  For further information, please contact the funeral home at 262-547-4035 or visit us at www.waukeshafunerals.com to leave the family an online tribute.