JoAnne Apfeld Obituary

May 25, 1929 - July 25, 2025

JoAnne H. Apfeld passed peacefully into the arms of her Lord and Savior on Thursday, July 25, 2025, at her residence in Evergreen Retirement Community. JoAnne was born on May 25, 1929 in Hamilton, Ohio. She attended Miami University of Ohio, where she majored in speech and drama and was an active member of the Delta Zeta sorority, graduating in 1951. On February 10, 1951 she wed E. Burns Apfeld, who she had known since high school and to whom she remained married for 67 years until his death in 2018.

She and her husband Burns moved frequently in their early life together, from New York City to Indianapolis, Indiana to Hamilton, Ohio, to Ridgewood, New Jersey and to Rockford, Illinois, before settling in Oshkosh in 1976. At their home on the shores of Lake Winnebago, JoAnne dispensed limitless hospitality to family and friends for nearly half a century. She and Burns especially enjoyed hosting a get-together for friends from Rockford just before each annual men's retreat at the Jesuit Retreat House. But all were welcome at the Apfeld household.

Wherever she and Burns lived, JoAnne was an active member of their church and community. She was president of the Rockford Catholic Women's League and the Oshkosh Women's League, and served on the boards of the Oshkosh Red Cross, Family, Inc., and the Oshkosh Northwestern Consumer Advisory Board. She was a trustee of St. Peter's Parish. She and Burns were active in Marriage Ministry talks in both Rockford and Oshkosh for over 35 years. She also belonged to various other organizations, including the Edgewater Club, the Fireside Antique Club, Learning in Retirement, the Christian Family Movement, and the Foundation for International Cooperation. During her younger years she was active in theater, both in high school and college and, later, in various amateur theater groups. She even helped write and broadcast radio programs for children and adults. And once, just days before after having arrived in New York City, she landed a job at CBS TV by walking in off the street.

JoAnne is survived by her three children, Michael (Mary Ann), Patrick (Kristine), and Sarah (Jon), by her six grandchildren, Brendan (Leah), Jordan (Jasmine), Bridget (Austin), Luke (Ariana), Grace, and Christopher; and by her two great-grandchildren, Josie and Emiliano.

JoAnne was preceded in death by her father, Norbert F. Holbrock, her mother, Martina (Becker) Holbrock, and her husband, Burns.

JoAnne's family wishes to extend its heartfelt thanks to various caregivers at Aurora Medical Center, Evergreen Retirement Community, and AseraCare Hospice, all of whom professionally and lovingly attended to JoAnne during her final years.

A Mass of Christian Burial will be celebrated at the The Most Blessed Sacrament Parish, St. Peter's worship site, at 435 High Avenue in Oshkosh on Thursday, July 31 at 11:00 a.m., visitation from 10:00 a.m. until Mass. In lieu of flowers, please consider a donation to The Most Blessed Sacrament Parish.


Fiss and Bills-Poklasny Funeral Home
865 S. Westhaven Drive
Oshkosh WI 54904
(920) 235-1170