Ida Joanne France

Ida “Joanne” France, age 90, of Soldiers Grove passed away peacefully on Wednesday, June 14, 2023, two days before her 91st birthday, at Soldiers Grove Health Care Center, where she had been a resident since April 2017. She was born on June 16, 1932, to the late Clarence and Catherine (Olson) Everson, in the Soldiers Grove area where she lived her entire life. Joanne graduated from Soldiers Grove High School in 1950, and enjoyed continuing to spend time with her high school classmates, going on outings with the girls, reunions, and even taking a trip to Hawaii with one of her besties.

Joanne married the love of her life, Donald “Doc” France on October 17, 1952. They were blessed two children, Edward and Carmen France. Joanne and Doc ran France’s Store in Soldiers Grove from 1958 to 1968. She also worked at Pine Valley Nursing Home in Soldiers Grove and People’s State Bank in Soldiers Grove. After Joanne retired from the bank, she loving cared for her husband until his passing in 1999.

Joanne was a lifetime member of Kickapoo United Lutheran Church where she was baptized, confirmed, and married along with attending regularly while raising her family in the faith. She was a WELCA and Ladies’ Aide member, always participating in the quilt making along with being active in many other elements of the church’s everyday functions.

Joanne is survived by her children, Edward France and Carmen France; grandchildren: Jonathan (Katie) France, Jason (Amber) France, Lil Jon, Jasmine France, Anthony (Tasha) France, and Jessica (Rashad) Parks; fourteen great-grandchildren: Brady and Evelynn, Trey and Odon France, Braelynn, Bennet, and Preston France, Aubri and Brayden DeWitt, Johannes, Kylie, and Bailey Swadley, and Paul and Justice Finch; two sisters, Clarice Herreid and Catherine Johnson; three sisters-in-law, Margaret (Joan) Everson, Betty France, and Phyliss France; along with her dear friend, Lois Hanson; and many nieces, nephews, cousins, and family friends.

In addition of her parents, Joanne is preceded in death by her husband, Doc France; her brother, Arlen “Bud” Everson; brothers-in-law: Thomas Herreid, John C. Johnson, Robert France, and Bruce France; and sister-in-law, Betty (John) Gray.

Blessed be the memory of Ida Joanne France.

A Funeral Service will be held at 11:00 a.m. on Wednesday, June 21, 2023, at Kickapoo United Lutheran Church. A visitation will be held from 10:00 a.m. until the time of service. Joanne will be laid to rest at the North Kickapoo Cemetery with a luncheon in the church basement to follow.

Sime Funeral Home & Crematory in Readstown is serving Joanne's family.

106 S. 4th Street

Readstown, WI 54652

(608) 629-5651