Joanne K. Wamsher

Joanne K. Wamsher, age 70, of Watertown, SD, passed away quietly on Friday, January 13, 2023, at her residence in Watertown, SD.  Memorial Services will be 11:00 a.m., Saturday, January 21, 2023, at the Crawford-Osthus Funeral Chapel in Watertown.  Visitation will be prior to the services at the funeral home on Saturday.  A second Memorial Service will be held at a later date at her home church in Wakonda, SD.  Family prefers Memorials to the Wakonda United Methodist Church or the Ralph and Joanne Wamsher Education Fund at the Watertown Community Foundation.  The memorial service will be live-streamed on our website.

Joanne was born in Madison, SD on June 14, 1952, to Mildred (Schrooten) and Melvin Krause. She was very proud of being a flag day baby. She grew up in Wakonda, SD and went on to graduate from Dakota State University. She was employed by the State of South Dakota as an economic assistance case worker for over 33 years, the last 11 years in Watertown.

She married Ralph Wamsher on Aug 25, 1990 in Chamberlain SD. Joanne loved to travel. Despite her disabilities she and Ralph wandered over much of the United States. To celebrate her retirement she and Ralph went on a tour to Alaska in 2007. Many of the friendships made on that trip remain until this day.

Joanne is survived by her husband Ralph; sister-in-law’s Martha Krause of Vermillion SD, Carlene Wamsher of Mt Home ID; brother Raymond (Sharlen) Krause of  Viborg SD; and many nieces, nephews, and cousins; Joy Freimark assisted Joanne for the last 7 years and became a special friend.

Joanne was preceded in death by her parents; brother Bill; and sister Susan.

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