Joe P. Sanks

Joe P. Sanks, of Manitowish Waters, formerly of Stevens Point and Janesville, passed away April 10, 2025, while living at Nazareth House Health and Rehabilitation Center in Stoughton, at the age of 91.

Joe was born July 2, 1933, in Stevens Point; son of the late Joseph William “Mike” and Marguerite (Saunders) Sanks. He grew up in the area where he attended local schools and developed a love of sports at a very early age. In 1952, Joe graduated from P.J. Jacobs High School, now known as Stevens Point Area Senior High (SPASH).

Joe’s high school sports career was an impressive list of accomplishments that earned him a spot in Stevens Point Area High School’s Athletic Hall of Fame in 2007. During his high school years, Joe lettered in four sports: football, basketball, track, and baseball. His football accomplishments include being chosen as the team captain, 1st team All Wisconsin Valley Conference, Captain of the All Wisconsin Valley Conference Team, first team All State and a member of the National High School All American Football Team. During his senior year in basketball, he was awarded the team’s Most Valuable Player Award as well as first team All Wisconsin Valley and second team All Tournament team at State. Joe led his team in field goal shooting, free throw shooting, assists and scoring during the regular season. In track, Joe competed in the 880-yard run, winning several races as well as a trip to the State Track Meet in Madison where he finished in third place. On the baseball team, Joe played first base and had a .333 batting average.

Following high school, Joe went on to attend the University of Wisconsin-Stevens Point (UWSP) where he continued to play football and basketball, lettering in both his freshman year. In football, he started as a defensive back while the team posted a 7-1 record. On the basketball team, he set a team single game scoring record of 31 points. In September of 1953, Joe was drafted into the U.S. military, and while he bravely fulfilled his duty to serve our country, his collegiate athletic career came to a close.

In September of 1956, Joe was united in marriage to the beautiful Leanne M. Parmeter. Joe and Leanne were blessed with 64 years of marriage until her passing in April of 2020. Together, they welcomed three beautiful children to their home; Joe, Lisa, and Sherry. To support his family, Joe worked diligently in the insurance field. In 1957 he began working for the American Family Insurance Company; a company his father worked for, and one day, his son would as well. In 1959, he was promoted to a sales management position in southern Wisconsin. During his 40-year career with the company, Joe received many achievement awards including Life Diamond Club, All American Club, and the Championship Club. Furthermore, Joe was inducted into the American Family’s Sales Management Hall of Fame. At the time of his retirement, in 1997, his sales district was the largest within the company.

It should come as no surprise that Joe was an avid sports fan, living and breathing sports his entire life. He was a huge fan of any Wisconsin sports team and was always cheering on the Badgers and the Packers. He was also sure to enjoy rounds of golf throughout his life and greatly enjoyed fishing trips to Canada with his buddies. Hunting was another pastime Joe enjoyed and would often travel throughout Wisconsin, but mostly in the northern areas, to enjoy some time in the woods, waiting for the big buck!

Joe is survived by his children, Joe L. Sanks of Janesville, Lisa M. (Mark) Schueler of New Berlin, and Sherry (Gary) Nyborg of Fort Wayne, Ind.; several grandchildren and great-grandchildren as well as numerous nieces and nephews.

Joe was preceded in death by his parents, Mike and Marguerite; his beloved wife, Leanne, whom he has missed terribly for the last five years; and all four of his siblings, William Sanks, Virginia (Bill) Habeck, Donna Litzow, and Jack Sanks.

The family would like to extend a special thank you to the staff at Agrace Hospice Care and Nazareth House Health and Rehabilitation Center, for the care and support provided to Joe and his family.

A funeral service will be held at 11 a.m. on Saturday, April 26, at Manitowish Waters Community Presbyterian Church, 13883 Marathon Road, Manitowish Waters. Friends and family are invited to gather and share memories at the church from 10 a.m. until the time of service. Burial will follow later that day at Restlawn Memorial Park in Grand Rapids.

Online condolences may be sent by visiting www.shudafuneral.com.