Joan “Longball” H. Ginzl, age 79, of Wisconsin Rapids, WI passed away on October 17, 2018 at home with her family, after battling Lewy-Body Dementia for many years.

Funeral Mass will be 10:30 AM Monday, October 22, 2018 at Saints Peter & Paul Catholic Church, Wisconsin Rapids, WI. Fr. Robert Schaller will officiate. Visitation will be at Ritchay Funeral Home in Wisconsin Rapids, WI from 4:00-7:00 PM Sunday and Monday at the Church from 9:30-10:30 AM. Burial will be at a later date.

Joan was born on August 23, 1939 in Rhinelander, WI, the first daughter of John and Barbara (Lex) Knudsen. She graduated from Rhinelander High School, working during school at Red Owl and was a long distance operator for Wisconsin Bell System. After graduation, Joan went to work for the Wisconsin Department of Industry and Human Relations in Rhinelander and then transferred to Wisconsin Rapids after getting married to Richard Ginzl on May 13, 1961 in Rhinelander.

Joan was a strong woman going through goiter surgery, heart by-pass and a mastectomy and then the Lewy-Body Dementia since she retired. Joan still enjoyed life with bowling, golfing, camping, shopping and side trips to the casino, while still keeping up with her flowers around the house and being part of the area garden walk in 2006. Joan raised three kids who made her a proud grandmother of four amazing grandkids who she couldn’t take or get enough pictures of.

Joan is survived by her husband of 57 years, Richard; three children, Laurie (Mike Rydzewski) Ginzl of Wisconsin Rapids, WI, Jeff (Deb) Ginzl of Pulaski, WI and Lisa Kell of Janesville, WI; four grandchildren, Jordan Ginzl, Josh Ginzl, Kourtney Kell and Kalei Kell; one brother, John (Roylene) Knudsen of Rhinelander, WI and one sister, Joyce (Jack) Schilleman of Rhinelander, WI. Joan is also survived by brothers and sisters-in-law, Tom (Marty) Ginzl, Harry Ginzl, Bruce (Sukey) Ginzl and Virginia (Jim) Dolberg.

Joan was preceded in death by her parents, younger sister, Judy Knudsen Theiler; her father and mother-in-law, Wesley and Maybelle Ginzl and one sister-in-law, Diane Ginzl.

Joan’s family would like to thank Aspirus Hospice and Barbara Kline for the loving, compassionate care given to Joan.

“Joan will be remembered as a vibrant person and was always the life of the party.”