Obituaries

Madison- Joan E Perttunen (Pire), age 83, beloved wife, mother, grandmother, and great grandmother, passed away peacefully, at the Middleton Village Nursing and Rehab Center, Middleton, WI, on Saturday, January 6, 2024, knowing she was loved by family and countless friends. She was born on December 27, 1940, in Green Bay, WI. She moved to Milwaukee, WI as a child, where she went to High School. Most importantly, in Milwaukee is where she met a young dashing Business School student named Russel T. Perttunen who would become her beloved husband of 56 years, marrying in 1960, before his passing. Her husband was bi-lingual in Finnish, and she would fondly tell family and friends stories about how Russ would teach her words and phrases in Finnish, especially the dirty ones where Russ would laugh, and she would blush. Joan started her career in telecommunications in Milwaukee as an old school telephone operator before moving to Madison, where she would retire after 25 years in various positions with AT&T. During that period, she took time off to start a family, having two sons Theodore and Eric. As her boys grew old enough to take care of themselves Joan got involved in Racquetball in the 1970's and 1980's. Where she had jobs at Vic Tanny and West Madison YMCA teaching Racquetball to others. Joan was good enough to have played in tournaments, boasting she almost came in third place in a tournament out in Steamboat Springs, Colorado. She was very creative and artistic; her home was filled with ceramics she painted. She was also a lover of animals, baking, gardening, and had numerous flower beds in her yard.

Joan was also a proud military sister and mom. She supported her brother in laws and her older brother Donald as they went to Korea, her little brother Kenneth when he went to Vietnam, and her youngest son Eric when he went to the Persian Gulf War (Desert Storm). Joan did a lot of worrying during those years. Joan along with her late husband Russ were proud supporters of VFW and The DAV (Disabled American Veterans) for years. In later years she liked to spend time with family and friends going out to breakfast and lunch, she especially liked the fish fry at the VFW Post 8483 with her son Eric or to the many cafes and restaurants she and Russ used to visit, with her son Ted. As a lover of dogs Joan always had dog treats in her pocket to give out on her daily walks in the neighborhood.

Joan was preceded in death by her husband Russel, her parents Charles and Virginia (LePage) Pire, and brothers Donald, Bernard, and Kenneth Pire. She is survived by her sons Theodore (Melanie) Perttunen and Eric Perttunen. She is further survived by grandchildren, Lyssa (Steve) Cleary, Justin (Jeni) Perttunen, Ashley Perttunen, Cory Perttunen; and great-grandchildren Myrra, Wynter, Nyles, Leo, and her furry companion Oliver (Ollie).

A Memorial Service will be held at Grace Lutheran Church, 1 S. Rosa Rd, Madison WI 53705 with Pastor Cory Hahnke officiating, on Saturday January 27, 2024. Visitation will begin at 11:00 am. Service at 12:00 pm, with a light reception to follow until 2:00 pm. The Perttunen family wishes to thank the Middleton Village for their care and support. In lieu of flowers, we are asking you to donate to any service member organization, or to the Wisconsin Border Collie Rescue.

To view and sign this guestbook, please visit: www.ryanfuneralservice.com.

Ryan Funeral Home & Cremation Services

5701 Odana Road

608-274-1000