Joan “Joanie” Malek

Joan “Joanie” Malek peacefully passed away at her home on September 17, 2024.

Joanie was born on April 21, 1947, to Emmit and Stella Adkins, a date she placed on her license plate to remind her family so they would never forget to wish her a happy birthday.

Joanie was preceded in death by her parents, the love of her life her beloved husband Robert Malek, her daughter Kathleen LeClair, her son Kevin Malek, her grandson Alex Malek, as well as her beloved doggie Winston Pitbull Malek, all of whom she is now joyfully with again in heaven.

She is survived by her sister Vicki Swift, her daughter Karen Malek Wildenberg, her 10 grandchildren and eight great-grandchildren.

Joanie graduated high school the valedictorian of her class in 1965. She married the love of her life Robert on August 14, 1971, at St. Rita Catholic Church in Chicago. Soon thereafter they moved to Minocqua in 1975 to raise their family and start Northland Pharmacy, as Robert was a gifted pharmacist. Joanie at this time also became a certified pharmacist assistant and worked with Robert for many years to help support the family she loved so much.

Eventually Joanie elected to stay at home to dedicate more time to raising her family but also to continue her education studying at Nicolet College where she fed her passion for history, art and psychology. Joanie will always be remembered for her extremely talented artistic abilities as all that knew her can remember from her beautiful writings using calligraphy, as well as her realistic paintings of native rocks to look like everyday objects. Her favorite pastimes also included baking and doing arts and crafts with her grand and great-grandchildren.

Joanie was very proud of her family and its genealogy, and her family love made her their teacher, caretaker, as well as disciplinarian, where she was not shy to apply the wooden spoon to backsides when needed.

There will be a small celebration of life for her family, friends and friends that she considered family at the family homestead on Sunday, Sept. 29, at 1 p.m.

Fly high our beautiful angel and be with your husband and family in heaven. Your family knows you will always be at our side.