Joanne Aulenbacher, age 80, of Shawano, passed away at home on Friday, September 13, 2019. She was born on December 10, 1938 in Galena, Illinois to the late Emmett and Mary (Engel) Levins. On April 9, 1960, Joanne was united in marriage to Orval F. Aulenbacher at Little Brown Church in Nasva, Iowa. Orval preceded Joanne in death on March 30, 2009, after nearly 49 years of marriage.  Joanne is a 1960 graduate of UW Platteville, with a degree in elementary education. In 1961, she proudly started the first kindergarten in Cottage Grove.  She influenced countless youth as a teacher in Cottage Grove, as well as Lincoln and Olga Brener Elementary Schools in Shawano, before her retirement in 1998. Joanne was a member of the Retired Teachers Association, Delta Kappa Gamma, Republican Party of Shawano, Shawano Women's Club and St. James Lutheran Church. She was known for her green thumb, enjoying endless hours of gardening.  Joanne loved to travel, including trips to Australia, Italy, Ireland and the Holy Land, just to name a few.  She also enjoyed painting and fashion, donating her time as a runway model for a local fundraiser.

Joanne is survived by: her children, Amy (Paul) Marquardt of Hartland, Abby (Tim) Quinn of West Bend, and Calla (Gary) Kuehl of Fond du Lac; her grandchildren, Melinda and Paige Marquardt, Keira and Katie Quinn, and Elayna, Cameron, and Kyrstin Kuehl. She is further survived by nieces, nephews, other relatives, and friends.

She was preceded in death by: her husband, Orval; her parents; and her brother, James.

A funeral service for Joanne will be held at 1:00 p.m. on Friday, September 20, 2019, at St. James Lutheran Church in Shawano with Rev. Steve Schauder officiating. Burial will be in Pinelawn Memorial Park in Milwaukee. Visitation will be held at the church on Friday from 11:30 a.m. until the time of service.

www.swedbergfuneralhome.com