Joan Alice Saur

JOAN ALICE SAUR, age 88, passed away on October 26, 2024, at UW Hospital in Madison, surrounded by her family.

Joan was born in Watertown on October 13, 1936, to Donald and Alice (Draeger) Messmer. She attended early country schools Box Alder and Woodside and graduated from Johnson Creek High School in 1954.

She married Allyn Engelke and together had two children, Mark and Tammy.  Allyn died on June 28, 1964.  She married Ronald Saur on July 15, 1967, and had a son, Michael.

Joan worked for her parents at Messmer’s Shoe Store in Jefferson for over 23 years.  She also worked in the hot lunch program at Jefferson Middle School, retiring in 2001. Joan was a member of St. John Evangelical Lutheran Church in Jefferson and enjoyed visiting fellow church members and others at Alden Estates each Tuesday for over 8 years.

Joan loved camping and traveling, and baking cookies for all the children and grandchildren. She enjoyed her flower gardens and painting bisque ware. She painted a Nativity set for each child and a huge Christmas village.

She is survived by her husband, Ron, children, Mark (Rachel) Engelke, Tammy Schillinger and Michael (Elise) Saur; grandchildren Allyn (Ann) Schillinger, Rebecca (Dan) McGonagil, Christopher Engelke, Naomi (Sam) Brumm, Jamie Engelke, Wyatt Saur, Charlie Saur, Jaxson Saur; great-grandchildren Raegan and Isaac McGonagil and Bennett, Riley and Jordan Schillinger; sister-in-law Sandra Messmer and many other relatives and friends.

Joan is preceded in death by her parents, brother Lance Messmer and son-in-law David Schillinger.

A Christian Funeral Service will be held on November 15, 2024 at 12:00 PM at St. John’s Evangelical Lutheran Church in Jefferson. Visitation will be held at the church from 10:00 AM until time of service. Burial will follow in Evergreen Cemetery in Fort Atkinson with luncheon to follow at the church.

  Online condolences can be made at www.schneidermichaelisfuneralhome.com.