JoAnn Osum

On the evening of January 13, 2022 at 6 PM, JoAnn Osum passed away at the Aria Nursing Home in Waukesha, WI at the age of 85.

She was born in Minneapolis, MN on April 20, 1936 to Charles and Mary Hastings.

JoAnn attended South High School where she met her husband George. They raised three kids in South Minneapolis in a modest house by Lake Nokomis. She worked for Septran transportation as a bus driver for special needs children and later as an executive secretary for Pillsbury. George and JoAnn moved to the Milwaukee area in 2003 where she enjoyed retirement and her favorite activities sewing, quilting and being a Granny.

JoAnn was known for her sweet disposition, stern determination, fierce devotion to her family and love of a good joke. She was proud of her Finnish ancestry and loved making Norwegian waffle cookies Krumkake and Fattigmann rosette cookies for Christmas. She was passionate about sewing and quilting. In 2018 she moved into a nursing home due to a stroke and managed to keep a positive attitude every day. George visited daily and moved in with her the last two months of his life until his death in August 2021. She died of a broken heart shortly thereafter.

JoAnn is preceded in death by her parents Charles and Mary, husband George of 65 years, Daughter Christi Larson, Sister Pat, Nephew Steve Desch and Nieces Joanne Guinaugh and Bobbi Desch.

JoAnn is survived by Sons Jeffrey Osum and Charles (Suzy) Osum, Grandchildren Aryn Osum, Kevin (Sara) Osum, Alexis Larson, Grant Osum and Marie Osum, Nieces Deborah (George) Duros and Mary Kay Baker, Nephews Michael Desch, Patrick (Deneise) Desch and Jason (Noel) Joyce, Niece Dana (Keith) Johnson, Great Grandchildren Kenedi De La Rosa, Miles Osum and Valerie Osum. Also loved by her extended family and many friends.

A celebration of JoAnn’s life will be held at Krause Funeral Home, 21600 West Capitol Drive, Brookfield, Wisconsin on Saturday, February 5th, 2022 from 11:00 AM until 12:00 PM.