Josephine T. Walta, 92, of Eau Claire, died peacefully on Thursday, December 27, 2012, at Milestone Senior Living with her family by her side, under the care of Mayo Clinic Home Health and Hospice. Jo was born on December 17, 1920, in LaPointe, Wisconsin to Theodore Bissell and Bessie Wolanek. Jo spent her childhood in Eau Claire, graduating from Eau Claire Senior High School in 1939. On March 15, 1940, she married Louie Walta in Bessemer, Michigan and they made their first home in Iron Belt. They moved to Eau Claire in 1947 where she has since resided. Jo has been a member of Ascension Lutheran Church in the Town of Seymour for many years and she was active in the Ladies Aide. Jo was a devoted housewife and mother. She entered the workforce in 1974, as a cook's helper with the Eau Claire Area School District. From there she advanced to head cook at Manz Elementary School for many years. Her journey through the school district ultimately found her at North High School where she did the laundry for North's physical education department and athletic teams for the better part of a decade retiring in 2004 at age 83, the oldest Eau Claire School District employee. In her tenure at North she wore out 3 washboards making sure a Husky Team never took the field, diamond, court, or rink with a blemish on it's Columbia blue uniforms. More than clean uniforms and fresh towels she delivered a demonstration of perseverance and work ethic to a generation of teenagers. "Jo-Jo" as she was lovingly called by staff and students alike was a fine symbol of "Husky Pride." Survivors include her daughter, Donna (Ted) Peterson of Iron Belt, WI, son, Louis (Billie) Walta of Eau Claire, WI, daughter, Cindy (Steve) Hintze of Poynette, WI; 9 grandchildren, Geri (JC) Petkowski of Cedar City, UT, Caroline (Chris) Edland of Cloquet, MN, Laura (Jeff) Zimmer of Ladymsith, WI, Linda Jo (Roger) Davies of Fredericksburg, VA, Luke (Jennifer) Walta of Bloomer, WI, Lisa (Lance) Krueger of Mondovi, WI, Stacey Geist of Eau Claire, WI, Alicia Geist of Madison, WI, Nick Geist of Miami, FL; 9 great-grandchildren, Dylan Edland, Will, Alex, and Amanda Zimmer, Reece and Carys Davies, Morgan and Kayden Walta, and Noah Krueger; 3 sisters, Emma Kolander of Siren, WI, Selma (Jim) Christiansen of Luck, WI, and Lorraine Hoefs of Trade Lakes, WI; brother, Ted (Mary) Bissell of Naples, FL; and numerous nieces and nephews. She was preceded in death by her husband, Louie in 1981; her parents; 2 sisters, Janet and Francis; and 2 brothers, Louis and Arthur. Jo embraced life to the fullest for all of her 92 years, overcoming challenges as they arose and sharing good fortune and success with those she loved. She took immense pride in the accomplishments of her children, grandchildren, and great-grandchildren. Her memory will be carried on by all who knew her as a loving wife, mother, grandmother, sister, and friend. Funeral Service will be at 11a.m. on Monday, December 31, 2012, at Ascension Lutheran Church, 1500 Peterson Drive in the Town of Seymour, with Pastor Paul Sullivan officiating. Visitation will start at 9:30 a.m. on Monday at the church. Burial will be in Rest Haven Gardens Cemetery in the Town of Washington. The family would like to extend a warm thank you to all the caring staff at both Milestone Senior Living and Mayo Clinic Home Health and Hospice.....truly God's special angels. In lieu of flowers, memorials are preferred.

Service Information

Cemetery

Rest Haven Cemetery 5750 Old Town Hall Road Eau Claire WI 54701