BURLINGTON - Joann Y. Friend, age 79, passed away surrounded by her family on Sunday, July 15, 2012 at her home. She was born on August 20, 1932 in Sturtevant, to the late Harley and Mary (nee Reed) Osborne. Joann spent her early life in Union Grove and was a graduate of Union Grove High School. She went on to graduate from Normal School in Union Grove and the UW Whitewater with a degree in teaching. On February 21, 1953 in the Union Grove Methodist Church, Joann was united in marriage to Robert W. Friend. Their 60th wedding anniversary would have been celebrated soon. Following marriage they made their home in Burlington. Joann was a teacher for 35 years; most of those years were spent at the Waterford Grade School. She was also a member of St. John’s Lutheran Church. She volunteered with Meals on Wheels for many years and helped out at Love Inc. Joann listened to youngsters read at St. John’s School and enjoyed tutoring around her kitchen table to children who needed just a little extra help. She loved her students and was a wonderful teacher. She liked a good card game and enjoyed eating fudge while playing poker. Joann enjoyed fishing, reading and knitting, especially her dish rags. She was an avid baseball fan and loved a good bargain. Joann thought the best vacation was a trip “up north” with family. Survivors include her loving husband, Robert, their children; Kathleen (Rodger) Koester of Dalton City, IL, Susan (Ken) Kumba of Burlington, Robert (Barb) Friend of Burlington, James (Kim) Friend of Burlington, Rebecca (Tom) Blyth of Waterloo and Deane (Sue) Friend of Fort Atkinson, grandchildren; Scott (Erin) Koester, Sarah Koester, Todd (Carlin) Koester, Mary Kumba, Nicholas (Kelly) Kumba, Jill (Frank Brooks) Kumba, Jacob Kumba, William (Dana) Friend, Andrew (Eva) Friend, Cassie Friend, Riley Friend, Dylan Friend, Coriann Dorgay, Nolan Friend, Sydney Friend, Kirsten Blyth, Hannah Blyth, Sasha (Gatlin) Fenwick and Grace Musgrave and by great-grandchildren; Madison, Lyncoln, Paityn and Joshua Koester, Cameron Brooks, Addison Kumba, Kayla and Dylan Graney and Jack and Fisher Fenwick. She is further survived by sisters-in-law and brothers-in-law, nieces, nephews, other relatives and many dear friends. Joann was preceded in death by her parents, grandparents, a brother, Wendell Osborne and by her in-laws; John and Bertha Friend. Services will be held on Thursday, July 19, 2012 at 12:30 PM at St. John’s Lutheran Church with Rev. Kirk Lahmann officiating. Relatives and friends may visit with the family at the CHURCH on Thursday, from 9:30 AM until 12:00 Noon. Inurnment will take place at 2:00 PM at the So. Wisconsin Veterans Memorial Cemetery. Memorials have been suggested to St. John’s Lutheran School Library in Burlington. The family would like to express a special thank you to the staff of Aurora VNA Hospice for all their love and support. The world lost an amazing person, a woman so kind, loving and inspirational to all. We celebrate the fact that she is feasting with our Lord and Savior, Jesus Christ. Schuette-Daniels Family Funeral Home 625 Browns Lake Dr. Burlington, WI 53105 262-763-3434 www.danielsfamilyfuneral.com