Johanna K. Sauer

OXFORD / PORTAGE  --  Johanna K. Sauer, age 96, of Portage, died on Monday, November 28, 2011, at her daughter’s home in Oxford.

Johanna was born on February 11, 1915, in Bevent, the daughter of Paul and Pearl (Schulta) Richey.  She married John Sauer on May 20, 1933 in Racine.  John preceded her in death in 1964.  Johanna worked for Divine Savior Hospital for many years.  She was a member of St. Mary of the Immaculate Conception Catholic Church in Portage where she served on the funeral luncheon committee, and did other volunteer service.  Johanna loved cardinals, owls and squirrels, as well as growing flowers, crafting, and playing cards.

Johanna is survived by her children, John Leo (Myra M.) Sauer, Lakewood, Catherine Hryszko, Portage, Louise (Orval) Lentz, Oxford, James A. (Barbara K) Sauer, Milwaukee, and Donald R. (Ellen M.) Sauer, Wauwatosa; 25 grandchildren, Janet (Tom Tow) Hryszko, Mary (Elliott) Carr, Kathy (Mark) Jankowski, Brenda Serstad, Steven (Michele) Lentz, Sandra (Pete) Freitag, Theresa (Brian) Frey, Rita (Sean) Houston, John (Tina) Sauer, Sue Ann (Greg) Johnson, Deborah (Chad) Counard, Steven (Lisa) Sauer, Cheryl (Tim) Dow, Brian (Leilani) Sauer, Chris (Janet) Sauer, Curt (Lisa) Sauer, Cassandra Sauer, John Sauer, Jeffrey Sauer, Mary Sauer, Kathleen (Todd) Taylor, Julie (Tim) Taylor, Elizabeth (Matt) Erdmann, Joanna (Adam) Booth, Jennifer Radakovich; her step-granddaughter, Kristen Lunde; 35 great-grandchildren; her sisters, Agnes Van Ness, Fitchburg, Ann Marie Meyer, Wausau; her brother-in-law, Alex Novitzke, Wausau, many nieces, and nephews, other relatives and many friends.  Johanna was preceded in death by her parents, her husband, John, and twelve brothers and sisters.

Mass of Christian Burial will be held at 11:00 a.m. on Saturday, December 3, 2011, at St. Mary of the Immaculate Conception Catholic Church in Portage, with Fr. Jim Murphy presiding.  Burial will follow in St. Mary Cemetery.  Visitation will be held from 9:00 a.m. until 11:00 a.m. on Saturday at the church.  The Pflanz Mantey Mendrala Funeral Home in Portage is assisting the family.