JoAnne Hackbarth

JoAnne Carolyn (Ausen) Hackbarth was received into the hands and arms of her loving Savior on Wednesday, March 4, 2020 at Spectrum Lakeland Health, St. Joseph, MI. JoAnne was born on May 20, 1946 in Pipestone, MN to Holger and Opal (Opheim) Ausen. She was baptized and confirmed at Rose Dell Trinity Lutheran Church. After attending a one room country school, JoAnne graduated from Jasper, MN high school and began attending Bethany Lutheran College, Mankato, MN. Following work in The Cities, JoAnne married Richard Hackbarth on January 27, 1968, moved to Lansing, MI and worked at the Oldsmobile Corp. Next came a move to Wisconsin where she became the church secretary at St. John’s Mayville. Her college education was then completed at Concordia University, Wisconsin. Moving to St. Joseph, MI in1995 found her working at the Whirlpool Corporation. JoAnne volunteered at Caring Circle (Hospice at Home) for almost 10 years, was active in Bible Classes, and loved sharing time with her grandchildren. She loved to sing by participating in choirs during college and church life. The highlight of her traveling/camping days was a cruise to Norway – celebrating her 50th wedding anniversary. A Celebration of Life will be held at 11:00 AM, Friday, March 13 at Trinity Lutheran Church, 613 Court Street, St. Joseph with Pastor Michael Roth officiating. Burial will follow at North Shore Memory Gardens. Friends may visit before the service from 10 to 11 Friday at the church. JoAnne is survived by her husband Richard; children Richard (Tracey) Hackbarth, Kirstin (Roger) Meier, Rebecca (Bill) Sitas; 9 grandchildren; Abigail (Jimmy) Champeau, Thomas Hackbarth, Samuel Hackbarth, John Hackbarth, Karah (Mike) Zhou, Reidun Meier, Kathryn Sitas, Naomi Sitas, Leah Sitas, and 1 great grandchild Madalyn Champeau; siblings David Ausen, Jan (Tony) Stadler, Carol (Roland) Klindworth, Marilyn (John) Laulainen, Orrin (Leslee) Ausen, and Eileen (Paul) Karow; and many nieces and nephews. Memorials may be given to Bethany Lutheran College, Mankato, MN; St. John’s Lutheran, Mayville, WI; or Trinity Lutheran, St. Joseph, MI. Those wishing to share a memory online may use www.starks-menchinger.com.