Mary Joan Kaeiser age 93 of Manitowoc died peacefully on August 6th, 2024, while under hospice care at the Manitowoc Health and Rehabilitation Center.

She is survived by her husband, Robert Kaeiser, her 4 children: three sons: Clay Kaeiser, Miami, FL, Chris (Sandy) Kaeiser, Sheboygan, and Matt Kaeiser, Manitowoc; one daughter: Kari (Brian) Nowak, Mishicot; three grandchildren: Katreena (Steven) Powell, Two Rivers, Eyob Kaeiser, Arizona, and Lilah Kaeiser, Florida; two great-grandchildren: Remy and Judah Powell; and her sister Barbara Kendall, Manitowoc. Joan was known for her strong independent nature and her love of reading, singing, astrology, and politics. She was a teacher by training and worked at a local Montessori school in Manitowoc for many years before retiring. She was also active in the League of Women Voters and the Association for Research and Enlightenment (ARE).

Joan was born on a farm in the winter of 1931 in Hall County Nebraska near Grand Island. She graduated high school in Grand Island in 1948, and then attended Doane College in the Sand Hills of Nebraska where she studied education and earned her teaching certificate in elementary education. She took on a variety of teaching positions and eventually landed in Chicago where she worked at a neighborhood house for inner city kids sponsored by the Presbyterian church. It was there that she met her husband and the love of her life, Bob Kaeiser, who was a seminary student. They got married in 1955 in Grand Island, NE and eventually moved to Wilton, ND where Bob took on his first preaching job for a small Presbyterian church. From there, she began to dedicate herself to building a family, eventually raising a total of 4 children, and building a strong marriage that lasted nearly 70 years.

Joan and family moved to Normal, IL in the early 70s where Bob began a new career in social work. It was then that Joan returned to the world of work taking on a variety of office positions through Manpower International. She coordinated a variety of volunteer activities through the Presbyterian church and became very active in a variety of women's groups. When Bob lost his social work job due to budget cuts, the family went through a rough patch when Bob had to work a job in Wisconsin away from the family. It is during this time that Joan found guidance and inspiration through an Edgar Cayce ARE study group. The ARE became a lifetime source of encouragement and understanding for Joan and a source of strong friendships that lasted her lifetime.

The family eventually moved to Wisconsin in the mid-70s and ended up in Manitowoc where Joan spent the majority of her life. She was active in many local organizations and groups over the years and worked a variety of jobs where she was able to both serve others and teach. She will be lovingly remembered by her close family members who were by her side up till the end. May she rest in peace.

Cremation has occurred at the Harrigan Parkside Crematory, Manitowoc, and a memorial service will be held at 11:00 a.m. on Monday, August 12, 2024 at Lakeshore United Methodist Church, 411 Reed Avenue, Manitowoc. Officiating at the service will be the Rev. Neil Piepenburg. The memorial service will be livestreamed and can be viewed by visiting the Lakeshore United Methodist Church website https://lakeshoreumc.com/.

The family will greet relatives and friends from 9:30 a.m. until the time of the service at 11:00 a.m. on Monday, August 12, 2024 at Lakeshore United Methodist Church, Manitowoc.

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

The family would like to thank all of the care teams from Holy Family Memorial, Manitowoc, St. Mary's Hospital, Green Bay, Sharon S. Richardson Hospice, and the Manitowoc Health and Rehabilitation Center for the outstanding care provided to Joan and her family.