Jo Ann M. Willert, Age 88, a lifelong Manitowoc resident, passed away Sunday, September 27, 2026 at Grace Commons of Menomonee Falls.

Jo Ann was born on May 4, 1938, in Manitowoc to the late Alvin and Mary Chadek Orth. She graduated from Lincoln High School with the class of 1956. She was an active committee member for the class of 1956 reunions. She married Edward Willert of Two Rivers on February 17, 1962, at St. Boniface Catholic Church in Manitowoc. He preceded her in death on March 31, 2025. Jo Ann retired as assistant vice president of Associated Bank in 2000 after over 40 years in the banking industry. Her employment began with the Manitowoc Savings Bank which eventually became Associated Bank.

Jo Ann was a member of St. Francis of Assisi Catholic Church where she also served as a money counter and receptionist. She volunteered for United Way of Manitowoc, was a member of the Manitowoc-Two Rivers Business and Professional Women and a Board Member of Marco Services. She also was a "Brownie Leader" and a "Den Mother". Jo Ann was a Green Bay Packer, Marquette University Basketball and life-time New York Yankee fan. She loved to travel, especially to Door County and Siesta Key, FL. She enjoyed gardening and was an avid reader, but most of all, she loved to shop.

Survivors include her two children: Aimee (Kevin) Curran of Plano, IL and David (Tracy) Willert of New Berlin, WI; grandchildren: Timothy (Allie) Drancik, Nicholas Drancik, Colin Curran, Sean (Samantha) Curran, and Alyssa (Carter) Kauth and Caleb (Mia) Willert; one great-grandchild: Winona Kauth; one brother-in-law and two sisters-in-law, Ken and Nancy Willert of Milwaukee and Phyllis Willert of Manitowoc, as well as other nephews, nieces and cousins survive.

Jo Ann was preceded in death by her husband: Edward Willert; her parents: Alvin and Mary Orth; father-in-law and mother-in-law: Henry and Hortense Willert; one sister Rose Mary Orth, two brothers-in-law Frederic Willert and Robert Peterson and one sister-in-law Mary Peterson.

Funeral services will be held at 11:00 a.m. on Saturday, October 10, 2026 at St. Francis of Assisi Catholic Church on Waldo, 1121 North 14th Street, Manitowoc. Officiating at the Mass of Christian Burial will be the Rev. Michael Warden. Following the service, burial will follow at Evergreen Cemetery. There will be a luncheon for relatives and friends at the Harrigan Parkside Gathering Center located on the south property of the Harrigan Parkside Funeral Home.

The family will greet relatives and friends from 9:00 a.m. until 10:45 a.m. on Saturday, October 10, 2026 at St. Francis of Assisi Catholic Church on Waldo, Manitowoc.

The Harrigan Parkside Funeral Home and Crematory, Manitowoc, is assisting the family with funeral arrangements. Expressions of sympathy may be sent to the family by visiting www.harriganparksidefuneralhome.com.