Joan Marie Jacobs of Grafton, Wisconsin, passed away peacefully on April 8, 2025, surrounded by her loving children. She was born in the tiny Slovenian community of Traunik, Michigan to Ludwig and Angela (Laurich) Lustick on December 4, 1935, and lived her 89 years with love, generosity and conviction.

A graduate of Trenary High School, Joan moved to Milwaukee upon graduation and after business classes took a position at A.O. Smith Corporation. It was in Milwaukee that she met her true love, Richard (Dick) Jacobs and they married in 1957. Joan was a devoted mother to her four children, and took great pride in making a beautiful, comfortable home for her family. If times were tight on a teacher's salary the kids never knew it. She had a great eye for a bargain and made sure her family was well cared for in every way.

Joan was an avid reader and encouraged that love of reading in her children and grandchildren. She treasured her outings with friends to the Milwaukee Repertory Theater. In later years she loved getting dressed up for her job at Gimbels in Milwaukee and maintained many lifelong friendships from her time there.

After the kids were grown, she and Dick spent time traveling the country and had a particular love for the American West. Dick's retirement brought many winters in Marco Island, Florida, where they developed a large and lively group of dear friends.

Joan was a proud Democrat until the end; she had a strong sense of justice and was never afraid to voice her opinion in support of the disenfranchised.

The family would like to thank the care teams of Village Pointe Commons and Lily Healthcare Wisconsin for their sensitive assistance with Joan's care in her final months. In lieu of flowers donations may be sent to the Young Center for Immigrant Children's Rights, https://www.theyoungcenter.org.