Mrs. Joan Marie Materna passed away in New Smyrna Beach on May 8, 2024. She was born October 3, 1941, in Oshkosh, Wisconsin, to her parents Alex and Ione Fischer. She grew up in Oshkosh, attended the Campus School there and graduated from Oshkosh High School in 1960. She was baptized and confirmed at Zion Lutheran Church where she attended in Oshkosh.
After graduation she moved to Watertown, Wisconsin, where she worked at Betherda Lutheran Home. She met Walter Materna and they were married April 14th of 1962. From that union came four children, one of whom is deceased, Josef Walter Materna. She also had one brother, Rev. Jack Fischer, who is also deceased.
Joan was active throughout her her life church activities in Illinois where they lived for 16 years. She taught Sunday School, Confirmation Classes, served as LWML president and was the volunteer church secretary for 5 years.
After moving to Allegany, NY, she also taught Confirmation class for two years and then decided it was time to re-enter the workfield. She worked for O’Hops Art Gallery for 13 years. After retiring from there she served as the first Volunteer Coordinator for Genesis House, a home for homeless families. Her husband retired in 1997, and they moved to Port Orange, FL.
Joan is survived by her three living children: Michael Materna of Olean, NY, Wendy Rose of New Smyrna Beach, FL, and Cathy Materna of Port Orange, FL. She also is survived by 13 grandchildren, 26 great grandchildren, and several nieces and nephews. Preceding her in death were her parents, Alex and Ione Fischer, brother Rev. Jack Fischer, son Josef Walter Materna, grandson Matthew Materna, and her late husband Walter.
A Memorial Service honoring Joan’s life will be held Saturday, May 25, at 11:00 am at Seashore Senior Living, 699 N. Dixie Freeway, New Smyrna Beach FL 32168.
In lieu of flowers, the family asks donations be made to St. Jude’s Children’s Research Hospital, a cause Joan supported many times throughout her life.
She and Walter will be laid to rest at a later date in Lakeview Memorial Park in Oshkosh, WI.
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