Joan M. (Bortz) McDonald Goodrich

Joan M. (Bortz) McDonald Goodrich, 90, of Beaver Dam passed away on Wednesday, March 20, 2024 at Randolph Health Services.

Joan was born on April 25, 1933, along with her twin sister Jean Desjarlais to Herbert and Annetta (Zepp) Bortz at the Lutheran Deaconess Hospital in Beaver Dam, Wisconsin.  Joan went to a one room school house called Jackson School until sixth grade, she then attended and graduated from St. Stephen’s Lutheran School and attended Beaver Dam High School graduating with the Class of 1951.

Joan married Phillip J. McDonald on June 10, 1953.  Together they moved to Limestone, Maine where her husband was stationed for 2 years in the United States Air Force.  Her husband passed away suddenly.

Joan had been employed at Kraft Foods in Beaver Dam for 41 years.  On April 30, 1977, Joan married Donald “Bugs” Goodrich.  Joan and Bugs loved to cook, especially their famous potato salad.  Upon retiring she loved to take her great grandchildren to school.

Joan was a lifetime member of St. Stephen’s Ev. Lutheran Church in Beaver Dam and a member of the Ladies Aid.  She was a member of the American Legion Auxiliary and the Beaver Dam Lake Improvement Association.

Joan is survived by her daughter Christine (David) Lemke; her brothers: Gerald (Betty) Bortz of Beaver Dam and Wayne (Barbara) Bortz of DePere; brothers-in-law: Ralph Desjarlais of Horicon and Donald Gensch of Beaver Dam; sister-in-law Carolyn Bortz of DeForest; two grandchildren: Kerry (Steve) Pasewald and Josh (Kelly) Lemke of Beaver Dam; four step children: Larry Goodrich, Diane Goodrich (Royce Nehls), Perian (Eric) Hein and Dale (Becky) Goodrich; five great grandchildren: Cole Bradley, Garret and Ethan Pasewald, Sam and Jacob Lemke; also six step great grandchildren Abbey, Justine, Danielle, Nicole, Matt and Ryan.  She is further survived by nieces, nephews, other relatives and friends.

She was preceded in death by her parents, husbands: Phillip J. McDonald and Donald “Bugs” Goodrich; her daughter Colleen McDonald, her twin sister Jean Desjarlais; her sisters: Monita Hupf and Barbara Gensch; her brother Richard Bortz and her brother-in-law Jerome Hupf.

A visitation for Joan will be held on Tuesday, March 26, 2024 from 10:00 a.m. until 11:00 a.m. at Good Shepherd Lutheran Church, 1310 N. Center St., Beaver Dam, WI.  Funeral Services will begin at 11:00 a.m. with Rev. Paul Stratman officiating.  Burial will follow at Oakwood Cemetery in Beaver Dam, Wisconsin.

In lieu of flowers, memorial donations in Joan’s name may be directed to St. Stephen’s Ev. Lutheran Church, 300 West Street, Beaver Dam, WI  53916.