Joan Dempsey

Joan Dempsey, 92, of Eagle, WI went to Heaven on Wednesday, February 28, 2024.

Joan was born on June 23, 1931 in Whitewater, WI the daughter of Millard F. and Shirley E. (Hake) Travis. She grew up in Whitewater and graduated Valedictorian of College High School class of 1949. She continued her schooling at the University of Wisconsin – Whitewater and graduated with her bachelor’s degree. After her schooling, she began working as a legal secretary where she met her future husband. Joan was united in marriage to Clark Dempsey on October 21, 1956 in Whitewater and the two would go on to enjoy 30 years of marriage together. God blessed their union with five children, Patrick, Sean, Erin, Shannon and Mac. A few years into their marriage, Clark came home one day and told his wife he had bought a farm. The two would eventually move out to the farm in Eagle full-time in 1962. The couple raised their children there and would remain on their farm for the rest of their lives. Joan continued to work as her husband’s legal secretary until his passing in 1987.

Joan was a smart and capable lady. She was skilled at her job and was a master of the lost art of Shorthand. She appreciated hard work and instilled this value in her children and grandchildren. She was very self sufficient and even in her final days it was difficult for her to let others do the things she knew she could. Joan was also a woman of faith and she spent time in God’s word on a regular basis. She will be dearly missed but forever remembered by those she leaves behind.

She is survived by: her children, Patrick (Lisa) Dempsey of Palmyra, Sean Dempsey of Eagle, Erin Dempsey of Fort Atkinson, Shannon Dempsey of Eagle, and Mac (Kim) Dempsey of Eagle; her grandchildren, Austin (Keelien) Dempsey, Leah (Thomas) Stone, Grace Dempsey, Sam Dempsey, Claire (Jake) Schmidt, Emily Dempsey, Jessica (Dustin) Hau, Megan Plucinski, and Noah Dempsey; and her great-grandchildren, Lucas, Logan, Boden, James, Levi, Wyatt, Fitzgerald, Elvira, and Eleanor. She is also survived by a number of other relatives and friends.

She is preceded in death by: her parents, her loving husband, Clark, her sister, Jean Essock, and two dear grandsons, Thomas and T.J.

Joan will be laid to rest next to her husband in Melendy’s Prairie Cemetery during a private family service.

Gibson Family Funeral Homes of Palmyra and Eagle, WI is serving the family. To place an online condolence please visit gibsonfuneral.com

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