JOEL M. ELMHORST

JOEL M. ELMHORST

     Joel Marie (Neuman) Elmhorst, 78, of Neillsville, WI, was reunited in Heaven Sunday, Sept. 10, 2023, with her loving husband, Daniel Elmhorst. Joel was born on Independence Day, July 4, 1945, in Owen, WI, the daughter of Lawrence C. Neuman and Gertrude M. Roohr. She was united in marriage to Daniel Gene Elmhorst July 27, 1963, at St. John’s Lutheran Church in Riplinger, WI. Early in their marriage, they had moved to the Fox Valley and Waukesha areas, where they joined the Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-Day Saints in 1970. As a devote member, she served in the Relief Society and multiple other church callings. 

     In 1973, Daniel and Joel moved their family back to the Peaceful Pines Farm where Joel was a very caring and loving wife, mother, grandmother and great-grandmother. She was also a mother figure to many others. 

Her primary occupation was transportation, where she was best known in this area as a school bus driver. She worked with the Neillsville School District for almost 30 years. In retirement, she became a transporter for the Amish community and became well known and respected in their communities. She was also the receptionist and ran the front office of the TLC Wellness Center in Neillsville, WI, where she greeted everyone with her beautiful smile. 

     Joel had several talents; she enjoyed reading, crocheting, crafts, canning and puzzles. She was her husband’s partner, by his side through all his ventures. She was a volunteer bell-ringer through the holidays. She loved traveling, spending time with her family and adored being a grandmother and great-grandmother. She was a very generous and compassionate person, whose home was always open to anyone in need. 

     She is survived by her 11 children, Daniel J. “DJ” (Patty Fowler) Elmhorst of Granton, WI, Ladd (Deanna) Elmhorst of Neillsville, WI, Tawnya (Robert) Featherston of Granton, WI, Nona (Russ Blanchard) Crowe of Ashland, WI, Naomi (Richette) Elmhorst of Neillsville, WI, Mya (Hazen) Hawkes of Neillsville, WI, Thomas (Lisa) Elmhorst of Marshfield, WI, Cherie (Richard) Atkins of Jacksonville, IL, Jacob (Ali) Elmhorst of North Ridgeville, OH, Elizabeth (Nathan) Warczytowa of Westfield, WI and Peter (Cheryl) Elmhorst of Spring, TX; 40 grandchildren; 15 great-grandchildren and one sibling, Glen Neuman of Lodi, WI.  

     Joel was preceded in death by her husband, Daniel; her parents, Lawrence and Gertrude; brothers Duane and Dennis; and sister Lavonne Levenhagen.  

     Funeral services for Joel will be held at 11 a.m. Wednesday, Sept. 20, 2023, at Gesche Funeral Home and Cremation Service in Neillsville.  Bishop Benjamin Hunter will officiate. Interment will be in Peaceful Pines Cemetery in Neillsville. A luncheon will follow. Visitation will be held from 4 to 7 p.m., Tuesday, Sept. 19, 2023, and also from 10 to 11 a.m. Wednesday morning at the Gesche Funeral Home.

     Online condolences may be made at www.geschefh.com. 

     The Gesche Funeral Home is assisting Joel’s family with funeral arrangements.