Josette Thadine (Migawa) Vanden Bloomen 66, of Eau Claire died Saturday, December 1, 2007, after a 4 ½ year battle with breast cancer, at Sacred Heart Hospital. She was born on March 23, 1941 at Sacred Hospital in Eau Claire, WI to Thaddeus Migawa and Oreen (Wold) Migawa.\r\nJosette graduated from Regis High School in 1959 and went to the University of Wisconsin-Eau Claire for a short time. She worked in Minneapolis at Munnsingwear and Honeywell for 3 years. Following that employment she lived in Mexico for 9 months and that experience motivated her to return to her studies at UWEC. She majored in Art Education and Spanish and graduated with a Bachelor of Science degree in 1969. She met some very influential people in her life while at the University. Dr. Gretchen Grimm fostered her abilities in Art Education and Dr. Roma Hoff and Drs. Antonio and Esther Lazcano developed her fluency in Spanish. As part of her K-12 certification she taught at Memorial High School under the direction of her early mentor, Marlys Griffiths.\r\nUpon graduation she embarked on a five month journey throughout Spain. To earn money she worked as a bi-lingual secretary for a movie company and had a very brief appearance in the film "A Man Called Sledge" starring James Garner.\r\nFollowing her return from Spain she taught Spanish and Art at Regis High School in Eau Claire and McDonnell Central Catholic High School in Chippewa Falls. Josette made six trips to Spain as a tour leader with many high school students. She displayed her art talent by making colorful ties and jewelry. Many people in the area had their unique wedding rings made by Josette. For 3 years in the late 70's she sold real estate in Eau Claire.\r\nIn 1981, she furthered her education by attending the Monterey Institute for International Studies in Monterey, CA. She earned a Master of Arts in Spanish and met her future husband Dennis Vanden Bloomen the first day of class. They were married in the Basilica in Carmel, CA.\r\nUpon her return to Eau Claire, with Dennis and their daughter Gretchen, she began a 20 year teaching career at UW-Eau Claire. She taught Spanish and English as a Foreign Language in the Department of Foreign Languages. She earned a Certificate in Teaching English to Speakers of Other Languages (TESOL) during that time. Josette and her family made trips to Brazil, Mexico, Peru and Spain. The family resided in Monterrey, Mexico for a summer session and she helped lay the groundwork for the UW-Stout Exchange Program with the Intituto Tecnologico de Estudios Superiors de Monterrey (ITESM). Due to health reasons she retired from UWEC in 2006 and was honored by the University with an emeriti designation.\r\nIn 1994 she completed her coursework for her Ph.D. in Education at the University of Tennessee-Knoxville. She enjoyed this time with her family in the south.\r\nWhile at UWEC she taught in the CAMPUS program and Japan Program Services. Her family hosted many students from Panama and Mexico. She was honored with a Host Family award in recognition for her efforts at helping students to adjust to a 'foreign' culture.\r\nJosette was a member of the Kiwanis Thursday Noon Club. She enjoyed the camaraderie of their activities and in particular working the Silent Auction at the Paul Bunyan Pancake Day Fundraiser. She served on the Board of Directors for two terms at the St. Bede Monastery.\r\nDuring her lifetime she visited 27 countries. She had a philosophy of fostering understanding and appreciation of different cultures. Her desire to live life to its fullest will be missed by her loving husband and daughter and many friends and former students. \r\nJosette is survived by her husband Dennis R. Vanden Bloomen and daughter Gretchen, Eau Claire; sister Janelle Sanders, Eau Claire; brother Mark Migawa, Menomonie; sister-in-law Susan (Tom) Natrop, Kaukauna; brother-in-law David (Kathy) Vanden Bloomen, Kaukanua; brother-in-law Richard Vanden Bloomen, Kaukauna; and several nieces and nephews. \r\nShe was preceded in death by her parents. \r\nIn lieu of flowers, the family requests memorials to the Josette T. Migawa Scholarship at the University of Wisconsin-Eau Claire Foundation, Schofield 214, Eau Claire, WI 54701 to honor her commitment to her many students, teaching and the University.\r\nA Memorial service and Celebration of Life will be held at 11 a.m. Wednesday, December 5, 2007, at St. Bede Monastery, 1190 Priory Rd., Eau Claire with Father John A. Schultz officiating. Burial will be in Lakeview Cemetery, Eau Claire. Friends may call from 4 to 7 p.m. Tuesday, at Lenmark-Gomsrud-Linn Funeral Home and one hour prior to services Wednesday at St. Bede Monastery.\r\n

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