Full Obituary

     JOAN E. BODAMER, age 90, of Chippewa Falls, formerly of Thorp, passed away on Thursday, March 1, 2018 at Chippewa Manor Nursing Home in Chippewa Falls.  There will be a time to gather and celebrate Joan's life on Saturday, March 10, 2018 at Thorp Funeral Home, in Thorp, from 10am to 1pm.
     Joan Elise Brown was born on October 2, 1927 in Neillsville, WI, to Frank and Frances (Hogg) Brown.  She was raised and received her education in the Neillsville area, where she graduated from high school in 1945.  After completing high school, she attended Miss Woods Training School for Teachers of Young Children, in Minneapolis, from 1945 to 1947.  She first taught school in Tomah then went on to teach in Richland, Washington and later in Great Falls, MT.  While in Great Falls, Joan worked at Malmstrom Air Force Base in the U.S.O.  It was there that she met her future husband, Robert L. Bodamer, and they were married on June 6, 1952.  After his discharge from the Air Force, they moved to Peoria, IL, Grand Forks, ND and finally settled in Thorp in 1959.  She taught school in Willard and then in Greenwood until retiring.  They moved to a home on Lake Wissota, where she resided until her death.
     Joan had many interests, but especially loved camping, quilting, teaching knitting, painting hand-blown eggs for Easter and traveling. She was also a member of the Eastern Star.
     She will be sadly missed by 4 children:  Philip (Tami) Bodamer of Gearhart, OR,  Jennifer (Robert) Evans of Zephyr Cove, NV,  Paul Bodamer of Thorp,  Jessica (Dewey) Gilchrist of De Forest, WI;  5 grandchildren: Nikki, Christopher, Stephanie, Chelsea and Trisha;  9 great-grandchildren;  one sister:  Marguerite Tibbetts of Eau Claire; nieces, nephews, other relatives and friends.
     She was preceded in death by her parents; her husband, Robert; and one brother, Edward Brown.
     Memorial donations may be made to the American Cancer Society,  American Heart Association or a charity of your choice in Joan's name.