Joan Barbara Petrykowski

Joan Petrykowski, daughter of Harry and Viola Untiedt, passed away peacefully on Thursday, October 1, 2026 at Brookside Care Center in Kenosha, Wisconsin, with her two daughters by her side. She was 91 years old.

Joan was born on October 13, 1934, and grew up on her family’s dairy farm in Colby, Wisconsin, the third of thirteen children. She was raised alongside her siblings John, Evelyn, Harry, Donna, Karen, Geraldine, Jerome, Beverly, Eugene, Patricia, Cynthia, and Lynn.

Growing up on a farm gave Joan a lifetime of stories and a strong work ethic. She learned to drive a tractor at an early age, picked stones from the fields before her father plowed, gathered eggs from chickens that were not always particularly friendly, and rode a horse that had a habit of bucking her off before running back to the stable to wait for its reward. One of the family’s favorite stories was the time Joan and her sister Evelyn tried to help their mother with the household chores by “washing and waxing” the floors with maple syrup.

Education was always important to Joan. She attended a one-room school with several of her siblings before attending high school in Colby. Joan loved school and was determined from an early age that she would not spend her adult life working on the farm. She went on to attend the University of Wisconsin–Stevens Point, where she earned her undergraduate degree. She eventually earned a Master’s degree in Education from Carthage College.

Joan moved to Milwaukee and began her career as a teacher. She taught a variety of grades in several school districts, before settling in Racine, where she spent most of her teaching career with the Racine Unified School District. Teaching was more than a career for Joan; it was something she cared deeply about.

Joan was also deeply social and loved being active. She enjoyed dancing, skiing, biking, golf, traveling, and spending time with friends and family. She was a member of the Vagabond Ski and Social Club, where she met her future husband, Thomas “Tom” Petrykowski. The two married in 1963 and built a wonderful life together in Racine.

The Vagabonds skied together during the winter and took bike trips during the warmer months. Joan and Tom especially enjoyed their annual trips to Door County, where family and friends gathered for bike rides, good food, laughter, and evenings at the White Gull Inn. Joan and Tom also taught their daughters to cross-country ski, ice skate, and ride bikes. They loved camping and exploring state parks throughout the Midwest, often bringing their bikes along.

After settling in Racine, Joan and Tom made their home on Indiana Street, where they were fortunate to have wonderful neighbors who became like a second family. They raised their two daughters, Jody and Sandy.

Joan treasured her role as a mother. She took several years away from teaching while her daughters were young, but she always made time for the things she loved—including coffee with friends, golf, and family adventures. Some of her daughters’ fondest memories are of summer mornings when Joan would take them to Lake Michigan for a picnic breakfast, complete with Danish kringle and other sweets, followed by hours of playing in the sand and water while she enjoyed her coffee.

Family was at the center of Joan’s life. With so many siblings and extended family members living nearby, there were countless gatherings filled with aunts, uncles, cousins, church weddings, live music, dancing, wonderful food, and plenty of laughter. She maintained those family connections throughout her life and loved bringing people together.

Joan will be remembered for her kindness, warmth, independence, adventurous spirit, and witty sense of humor. She had a remarkable ability to find joy in everyday life—from a cup of coffee with a friend to a family gathering, a bike ride, a trip somewhere new, or a Green Bay Packers game. She loved people, she loved being active, and she loved making memories.

Joan is survived by her daughters, Jody and Sandy; her grandchildren, Baraka, Zahra, Austin, and Patrick; and her great-grandson, Gabriel. She is also survived by members of her large and loving extended family, including her siblings Geraldine and Karen, and many nieces, nephews, cousins, and friends.

She was preceded in death by her beloved husband, Tom, and her parents, Harry and Viola Untiedt as well as 10 siblings.

Joan lived a life full of family, friendship, adventure, service, and love. She will be deeply missed and lovingly remembered by all who knew her.

A memorial service will be celebrated at Maresh-Meredith & Acklam Funeral Home, Monday, October 12, 2026, at 1pm with Rev. Jeffrey Thielen officiating. Interment will follow at Southern Wisconsin Veterans Memorial Cemetery, Dover, WI. Relatives and friends may meet prior to the service 11:30 am until 1 pm.